David Pearcy

[Dolphin Friendly]

I’m sure I never knew Dave as well as most of the regulars on this forum but I have to say he was one of those people who are the lifeblood of the non-league scene.

 

My first memories of him were obviously as the chatty guy who walked around the ground speaking to everyone whilst selling his programmes.

 

My 2 sons have been brought up supporting the Rebels and their first encounters with Dave would have been many years ago at Wexham Park. I can remember my eldest son was actually a little fearful of Dave at first merely because Dave was SO forthcoming that it was a bit overwhelming for my little one to take in. Over time Dave would have seen them growing up and always had a chat whenever any of us met at the various grounds around the country.

 

I’ve being following Slough Town since the late 60’s Dolphin Stadium days but I don’t know of any other supporters in that time that were as outgoing as Dave. He contributed so much to me and my lads experience of following Slough Town over the years with his cheery demeanour and knowledge of how we were doing, the teams we were playing and what he thought our prospects were going to be for each game. He was always happy to ‘high 5’ you as he passed by.

 

I’m sure it hasn’t been lost on many that his death was announced on the day designated as ‘Non-League Day’. It’s a time when we try to encourage those that support the bigger league clubs to have a look at what is on offer in the lower leagues in the football family pyramid. Dave was quintessentially what supporting Non-League teams is about.

 

I’m sure we would all prefer it that Dave were still around and in good health but at least it will be a fitting day for Slough Town supporters to remember David Pearcy in future seasons. We will certainly remember the likes of ‘Dave Programmes’ and Chris Sliski for their wholehearted contributions to the Rebel cause.

 

Players come and go and we can all recall a few of the ones that have made a contribution to our memories but I will always remember the Dave Pearcy’s & Chris Sliski’s of this world because they gave so much in order for me to enjoy the match-going experience just that little bit more.

 

My condolences go to David’s family. I’m hopeful that the thoughts and best wishes from every supporter here shows just how much David touched a lot of people’s lives … even those that are complete strangers to you.

[HEAVY TRUCKER]

my condolences to daves family at this very sad time, such an outgoing happy person you could ever wish to meet. i always made a point to buy one of his programmes and have a little banter with him sadly not so much in recent times, he is someone who those at slough will miss greatly, i know that st peter is now having to paint heaven in amber and blue now that chris s has just been joined by an allie in david, such an irresistable force that not even the choir indivisible will want to take them on, i would rather both of them were with us physically but i'm sure that spiritually they will be at every match roaring us on to victory, god rest your soul dave.

[Radders]

I remember going to wexham park when I first started watching slough and making a point of buying my programme from Dave rather than anyone else as he always had a story to tell whilst doing his job. I will also never forget the first game I took Kayleigh to where he gave her a hug before she'd even got through the turnstile despite the fact he did not know who she was.

 

Dave was someone you could 'feel' wasn't at a game, which sadly was quite often recently, as he always made himself known if he was. Ambling along behind the goal, even though the match was only 5 minutes old, he'd have decided what was going to happen already with an optimistic prediction or, the not so used, pessimistic 'what are we doing out there'???

 

As has been said by everyone else already, Dave was a heartbeat, the lifeblood of slough supporters. A man for whom sloughs success meant more to him than anything else, at least on a Saturday!!! And a man who touched so many lives including, I'm proud to say, mine, who was brave and selfless to the very end.

 

RIP Dave, you will never be forgotten by all your friends, keep cheering us on up there and send us some divine inspiration when we need it. My condolences to the whole Pearcy family at this sad and difficult time!!! #oncearebelalwaysarebel

Edited September 7, 2014 by Radders

[wheelchair rebel]

Dave had two main intrests in life,Slough Town and buses,,,As a fellow bus fan,he always sought me out to pass on the latest bus news he had

heard and I likewise passed on what I knew. I am going to miss those chats,

He was so thought of that someone was sure to ask how he was at every game,,,.

Dave, I am going to miss you...RIP.

Edited September 7, 2014 by wheelchair rebel

[Rebel Sue]

Just by reading all the tweets and posts on here everyone can see how much David was thought of and how much he will be missed x

 

One of the things that will always live on in our family is the name David always called me and usually sung at me at away games, so much so my son in law has me under the name on his phone.

 

David love you lots and we will miss you so much xxx

 

Aidan and super sue xx

[Jon Underwood]

It was a hugely sad moment when the news came through to us on the coach on our journey back from Weymouth.

 

A lot of the lads, myself and Bakes included, have not been at the club that long so can't share all of the great memories from the past that the rest of you can but it's clear from the reaction and the comments on here that Dave has been a huge part of this club for a very long time and has touched everyone with his positive outgoing nature.

 

On a personal level, and also on behalf of everyone who played a part, I am extremely proud that we were able to give Dave some great times at the end of last season. You could see how much it meant to him that his beloved club were able to win promotion and I know those special moments when we celebrated with him will stay with all of us.

 

All of our thoughts are with the Pearcy family in this difficult time and we will do the only thing we can by trying to make him proud on the pitch as he looks down on us.

 

RIP mate

[Graham Cox]

It's all been said eloquently by earlier posters...............what else to say except that it is so sad , sad, sad

 

Having lost a daughter to the same dreadful disease not long ago( and who was maybe the same age as Dave) I can understand how the family is feeling

 

R.I.P Dave..............................................we will miss you

[Kevin STFC]

So sad to hear that Dave has passed away. My sincere condolences to his parents and all his family. What a great loss this will be to the club. As has already been said David was part of the lifeblood of the Rebels and will be greatly missed. David all ways referred to me as "your Martin's dad" he is a true legend R.I.P.David.

[Don Juan DeMarcus]

A true gent and a lovely guy. The world will be a lesser place without him. I can fondly remember his hugs and chats (one about horses at an away game was hilarious) if we get this new ground there MUST be a pearcey stand!

Edited September 7, 2014 by Don Juan DeMarcus

[Stuntman Mark]

Reading this  thread and Twitter on the way home from Weymouth and I was genuinely welling  up.For me, Dave embodied everything that is brilliant about non league football. What a legend, glad he is at peace now.

[Reading Rebel]

So sad to hear that Dave had lost his battle with cancer on the way home from Weymouth.

 

A real character and such a genuinely nice person. The world has lost one of the good guys and will be a sadder place without him.

 

A true Rebels legend.

 

RIP Dave.

[RodB]

I knew "Dave Programes" from our Wexham days.  A lovely, unique man and I'm very sad to hear he's no longer with us.  I'm impressed that many of the comments on this thread have been able to put, in eloquent words, what we all feel.  I hope his family can find some comfort from this.

 

RIP Dave.

[barryh]

So sad to hear the news of Daves passing. My thoughts are with his family at this

difficult time.

Chatting to David was guaranteed to bright your day and he will be sorely missed.

 

Many of our management and players have not been with us long but the genuine

feeling and affection they showed David as last season reached its climax perfectly

demonstrated the effect he had on all those fortunate enough to know him.

Watching them run to him at the Rugby match still brings a lump to the throat.

 

Now at peace Dave

[Hammer_rebel]

David's father has put a link on twitter to a just giving page to raise money for the bobby Moore fund....

https://www.justgiving.com/DavidPearcy

[Bazza]

Dave was a top, top guy. Such sad news to hear about his passing away and I have many fond memories of him at both Wexham Park and at Stag Meadow. Hope he rests is peace and condolences to his family.

[Slough_Duck]

I too would like to add my condolences to Dave’s family and all at the club, I am not a regular attender at games and so didn’t know Dave “personally” but I think it is fair to say that just one meeting with Dave and you felt like long term friends. I don’t think you could ever meet a nicer and happier person.

 

As has been said by many on here already, Dave epitomised everything that is great about non-league football and the world will be a sadder place without him. I will certainly miss his cheery outlook and hi-fives next time I manage to get to a game.

 

RIP Dave

[Bernie Gogan]

A bit late with this and many have already posted everything that I could ever have said. So sad to have lost another great supporter. It's true match days will not be the same without Dave there.

 

David Pearcy RIP

[Jacko]

Mr earliest memory of Dave (I've always called him Dave) is from my early teens watching Slough Town at Wexham Park when he began his now legendary part time job as a programme seller. I'm not sure how many programmes he actually shifted as he'd have a ten minute chat with those who were buying from him, come to think of it, that pretty much applied to anyone he passed whilst he done his laps of the ground!!

 

In 1994 I became part of the youth set up at Slough and the next season I joined the reserves. During those couple of years, Dave missed only a handful of games that I'd played in for those two teams, and that was only because he was off watching the first team. He'd turn up at awful grounds in the middle of nowhere after travelling on all forms of public transport, which I'm pretty sure he enjoyed just as much as the football.

 

I've always had an affiliation with the club, like Dave, it's part of us. The difference though is that players and managers come and go, but I knew whenever I returned to the club, the first person to fling their arms round me and chant my name would be Dave, with a huge grin on his face welcoming me back and telling me that (whatever club I'd been at in the meantime) "you never liked playing for them anyway did you Jacko!" (I can hear his voice now as write, and I can't help but smile)

 

I have too many memories of Dave to put on paper. High fives, dancing, singing, coach journeys, disastrous losses that he would turn to positives and a couple of car trips where he'd blag a lift off me (or Grant Eaton) because he'd missed the last bus home.

 

I feel blessed to have had Dave in my life for such a long time, he made me laugh so many times and I'm not ashamed to admit, made me cry after what would be the last time I saw him at the Biggleswade game. We all know he was taken too early from us, but I hope that Dave's family can take extra comfort in knowing how much love, laughter and enthusiasm he blessed so many of us with.......and he was a huge part of another family, the Slough Town family.

 

Sleep well my friend, the Rebels won't be the same without you.

 

Jacko

[Hammer_rebel]

Last night at my friends new house her boyfriend came in and asked if I had heard about programme Dave. Me stunned he knew him asked how he knew him and he said from about town and that he was always so talkative and kind always remembered who they were etc... Then going on fb I realized how news was traveling fast and people sharing the link for the charity and talking about him! I hadn't realized how many of my generation knew Dave! And spoke so kindly of him! It would be so great if everyone on fb shared a status saying how we're remembering Dave on sat esp since I know a lot won't know about his funeral, and they can come say bye in their own way!

[Reading Rebel]

Great Tweet from former Rebel Ricky Perks about Rebels Legend David Programmes Pearcy.

 

Brings a tear to the eye.

Edited September 20, 2014 by Reading Rebel