The news that Fernando Ricksen had died broke yesterday when I was travelling.
I had the laptop with me, but his passing was worth more than something that I could quickly assemble in an airport lounge.
Firstly, the title of this piece makes no rational sense and I fully realise that.
However, it is how I feel about motor neurone disease (MND).
Perhaps the impulse to anthropomorphize something so apparently inexorably deadly as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is just too difficult to resist.
In my childhood in the 1960s, a diagnosis of cancer was usually a death sentence.
Indeed, the very utterance of the disease was something to be dreaded.
I recall the women in my family mouthing the word “CANCER” silently as they discussed some doomed person so afflicted.
Today MND has a similar prognosis and medical science is still looking for a way in there to demolish it.
As well as that the slow progress of the disease leads the observer to conclude that this is an exercise in abject cruelty at a molecular level.
Fernando Ricksen exploded onto Planet Fitba as a battler.
Signed from AZ Alkmaar in 2000 by his countryman Dick Advocaat Rangers got themselves a serious player.
He was the kind of guy to dig you out of a tough situation, but he could play a bit as well.
Every successful team needs a Fernando.
He quickly struck up an ongoing situation with Celtic’s Alan Thompson.
In their prime, the two of them went at it.
For the avoidance of doubt, it wasn’t global peace talks on the wing where they squared up to each other.
As we say here in Ireland there was a pair of them in it and neither appeared to be auditioning for the role of Dalai Lama…
No one who saw him in his playing days would doubt the Dutchman’s fortitude.
However, few could have imagined the depth of his courage.
Fernando told the world in 2013 that he was terminally ill with MND.
He was powerless to prevent the disease from wasting away his muscles, but his spirit wasn’t on the menu.
Not a chance.
Non fucking negotiable.
Just as he flew into fifty-fifty tackles without a second thought he didn’t shirk anything that MND threw at him.
To the end he was an inspiration to others and while he could he would take part in fundraising efforts to try and nail this absolute bastard of a disease.
I don’t have the consolation of a belief in a supernatural realm.
Consequently, I can’t offer it to others as a comfort.
What I do know is that a person of great courage and decency isn’t suffering anymore.
Sleep well, Fernando.
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As a Dons fan he was never my favourite player in all honesty. He was that sort of player though, loved by fans of his own team and hated by opponents, every team needs one of them to be successful. There was no questioning his spirit and ability as a player though.
I was lucky enough to meet him in Stansted airport several years ago, he was struggling to communicate by then, but I’m pleased I got the opportunity to praise him in his strength and dignity when dealing with a horrible illness.
My condolences to his family and those close to him and a heartfelt piece Phil.
RIP Fernando.
I loathed him as as a player. But that’s possibly the biggest compliment I can pay him. Sleep well Fernando, you REALLY WERE a worthy opponent.
I loathed him as as a player. But that’s possibly the biggest compliment I can pay him. Sleep well Fernando, you REALLY WERE a worthy opponent.
I get so angry when ” The Gods ” ( take your pick… I don’t have one ) allow a scourge like MND to afflict human beings.
I mentioned in a separate post, my mate of over 60 years standing contracting this, and how a brilliant life was brought to an agonising and debilitating end.
As I have no interest in religion any more…the priest’s kind words at my mate’s Requiem Mass meant not a lot to me.
His loving wife however, took comfort and gave me comfort when she said…
“Terry his passing was a blessing and a release…and he can now truly Rest In Peace.”
I hope the family and friends of Mr.Ricksen are likewise comforted.
My sincere condolences go to them.
Well said Phil. A brave brave man. RIP.
I also remember the mouthing of the word cancer by the older folk back in the day, even now most folk around my age wont say the word, they will say instead such and such is supposed to have the (bad thing) No matter what Fernando achieved as a sportsman it will never even come close to what he achieved as a fighter and inspiration to everyone fighting any horrible situation, be it a disease or loss of limbs ect, lots of men would quite easily go into a shell and give up on life completely once the have been told they only have a handful of years to live and most of that will be poor quality of life. RIP Fernando
Heartfelt tribute. Your sense of goodness and compassion is to your credit Phil. We hated him…..we loved him though !
Terrible disease, may god rest his soul.
Thanks for taking the time to capture your thoughts and memories.
Hi Phil…
Any chance you could move my Fernando Ricksen post from previous thread….to this one…?
Ta
Just re-post it buddy
The phrase “Hated but rated” springs to mind, only in defence of what happened on the pitch, many a battle was fought and I’m sad that a young man has lost this one. R.I.P. Fernando
Rest In Peace, Fernando. A brave fighter on and off the park. Sad news such as this, should make us remember what is most important in this life…and it’s not the result of any particular game.
So glad you done a piece on this phil.
Wow, tears of sadness here.
A fit man not even into middle age was diagnosed with this horrible illness.
Sports star, athlete physically still in prime years of life. Being given this death sentence with a young family. Heartbreaking
International footballer, serious tough player with guts and ability too.
Crazy man tussling with thommo on the wing choking, grappling and battering the living shit out of each other.
A winner a battler. Tears of sadness momentarily give way to tears of laughter,
Crazy man letting off fireworks off in the night!!
He was a ranger and for their fan base he will be one of their own.
Once we saw how he battled this MND he encapsulated a belief and spirit in all of us.
He had something in his personality we all we hope and pray we might have, but likely we don’t. he Had guts. Serious guts.
A short life but one well lived.
The tears are flowing fernando rest easy pal.
My dad was killed by this bastard of a disease in 2003. It is an unbelievably cruel affliction. My heart goes out to Fernando Ricksen and anyone who is unlucky enough to contract MND.
RIP Fernando.
A nice piece, heartfelt. RIP Fernando.
Nice tribute Phil, well said.
Well said Phil
Good tribute
Beautiful tribute Phil. RIP Fernando.