Beautiful, touching words from Grant Leadbitter

Edis_Pilf

Active member
This is a message to say thank you after some of the most difficult days and months of my life.
“First of all I’d like to say how great it has felt being back on the training pitch and playing football in recent weeks.
“The minutes I have had in the friendlies so far I have enjoyed and I’m looking forward to the new season.


“Those were the first games I have played since the Christmas period, and I’ve never really explained the reasons why.
“Grief is one of the hardest things we all have to cope with, so when I lost my mam in May 2019 I tried to deal with that in the same way as when I lost my dad 11 years earlier at such a young age, by concentrating on my football career day in and day out.
“This time I couldn’t focus each day. It was tough, really tough and I had to be honest with myself and the people around me.
“The grief of losing both of my parents eventually caught up with me in the second half of last year. I was only 33 and it’s still incredibly hard to deal with.


“It’s been a slow process, but I’ve made gradual progress and I’m looking to continue to do so. Anyone who has been through similar will understand how hard it can be.
“My two sisters, my family and me were all really touched by the messages I received from Sunderland, Middlesbrough and Ipswich supporters during that time. In fact the support I have had from football fans across the country has been brilliant and something I will never forget, as have the messages from former team-mates and staff I’ve worked with.
“If anyone else is struggling to deal with problems such as grief on a personal level, it’s important to talk and stick with it.
“I have never felt comfortable commenting on my situation, I’ve chosen now so I can look forward to the new season ahead by explaining the honest reason why I needed a break.


“I’ve enjoyed pre-season and I’m looking forward to having the fans back in the stadium soon.”
 
Great to hear from him and I'm really pleased to hear that he sounds like he's in a better place than he was previously.

I hope he has a great season and drags the Mackems back into the Championship. Leaving local rivalry to one side they as a club (and he as a player) are far too good for League One standard.

Still miss seeing him dishing out bollockings in the middle of the Riverside pitch and spraying those passes about too.
 
Great to hear from him and I'm really pleased to hear that he sounds like he's in a better place than he was previously.

I hope he has a great season and drags the Mackems back into the Championship. Leaving local rivalry to one side they as a club (and he as a player) are far too good for League One standard.

Still miss seeing him dishing out bollockings in the middle of the Riverside pitch and spraying those passes about too.

He really was an awesome player
 
It's a terrible thing to go through.
I hope he's managed to overcome his struggles and performs well on the pitch, even if it is with Sunderland.

I can sympathise with his situation, I lost my Dad 3 months ago, still not over it.
I lost both my parents within a few months of each other about eight years ago and the best advice I got was from two very wise older cousins of mine.
One told me not to hide my grief and the other said that I would never get over it but I would eventually get used to it.
Both bits of advice were spot on.
 
It's a terrible thing to go through.
I hope he's managed to overcome his struggles and performs well on the pitch, even if it is with Sunderland.

I can sympathise with his situation, I lost my Dad 3 months ago, still not over it.

Sorry to hear that Ben. Hope you are finding ways to cope with it. Lost my Dad on 18th June and it still feels so raw. Feel OK a lot of the time and then the strangest thing can bring it all flooding back. Only comfort I can take is that I wouldn't be feeling like this if he wasn't such a great bloke and we hadn't got on so well. A lot of people don't have that relationship with their parents so glad I have no regrets on that side of things.

As for Grant, think this just shows the mark of what a great man and leader he is. Glad he is back and feeling ready to play again. Boro legend
 
Sorry to hear that Ben. Hope you are finding ways to cope with it. Lost my Dad on 18th June and it still feels so raw. Feel OK a lot of the time and then the strangest thing can bring it all flooding back. Only comfort I can take is that I wouldn't be feeling like this if he wasn't such a great bloke and we hadn't got on so well. A lot of people don't have that relationship with their parents so glad I have no regrets on that side of things.

As for Grant, think this just shows the mark of what a great man and leader he is. Glad he is back and feeling ready to play again. Boro legend

That's a lovely post and same for Ben. I lost my Dad a few decades back and I miss him so much. It never gets easier but you learn to cope and remember the wonderful times.

If you mourn deeply it means that you loved deeply...
 
All credit to Grant to open up in this way,it takes guts.
Brilliant player and leader for us,his grit and determination will shine through.
Grant you are what legends are made of.
 
It's a terrible thing to go through.
I hope he's managed to overcome his struggles and performs well on the pitch, even if it is with Sunderland.

I can sympathise with his situation, I lost my Dad 3 months ago, still not over it.
Really sorry to hear that, lost both my parents weeks apart last year. For me there were stages towards coming to peace with it. I think trauma was the first, then grief, but it is true that time heals, especially if you’re lucky enough to have great familly and friends around you. Take care of yourself.
 
One of the best free transfers we've ever signed.

A true leader both on and off the pitch.

Would've probably got into the play offs if we persuaded him to stay in Jan 2019...his presence in the dressing room would've been gold dust.
 
Are there many players who have gone on to play for one of our local rivals that have been held in such high esteem - he's just a great man and leader, who we have struggled to replace.

I use to volunteer for a bereavement service 'Forget me not' at Teesside Hospice and really enjoyed my time helping young people work through their grief. I really felt I was making a difference.
 
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