Hi Barry, thanks for that, funeral tomorrow at earsdon church 130pm.
All welcome. The lads are all meeting at the Briardene in Monkseaton
afterwards. If your're in the area, drop me an email if you need any
more info etc. If not, i'll pass on your condolences to Sue.

Funny to think you would be contacting me in this way... 16-17 years
ago, me and my long time mate since school, Ian Taylor (now Sunderland
clarion), were in awe at the fact that you were a former member of our
first club - the Jarrow St.Christophers CC. We couldn't believe that
someone that had become a first cat had once ridden for the rabble of
rebels and misfits that was our club. Great fun though and excellent
starter club for young uns like we were at the time.

Take care and hope to catch up with you in happier times if I dont see
you tomorrow.
Happy christmas to you and your family

Micky

--- In roadracingukandireland@yahoogroups.com, "barrymordue1"
<barrymordue1@y...> wrote:
>
> Just found your site and read your superb and befitting words Mickey,
> nice one. All the best.
> Regards,
> Barry Mordue
>
>
> --- In roadracingukandireland@yahoogroups.com, mickymallen
> <no_reply@y...> wrote:
> >
> > Some very sad news just reached me from Tyneside, Russell Thompson
> > formerly of GS Metro and last year a member of Berwick Wheelers, died
> > in his sleep, last thursday. He was 41.
> > Many of you will know and/or will have raced with Russell who was an
> > extremely competitive,aggressive and voiciferous(!) rider in countless
> > Scottish races stretching back 12 years or more. His last Scottish
> > event was a creditable 7th in the Peebles APR as listed below.
> >
> > For me, this was also the last time I seen or spoke to one of the
> > nicest people i have ever met. I cant come to terms with the why's and
> > how's regarding his death. Apparently, there will be an inquest and
> > the funeral is expected to be next week, should 'all be welcome' then
> > I will update this post with dates and times in the offchance someone
> > besides myself would want to go down(please email if so)
> >
> > Russell only really started racing when he was 27 or so and quickly
> > rose to the top of the sport. In the days when it was Pro/Am he was in
> > the thick of things with the Paul Curran's and Shane Sutton's of the
> > 90's. One of his best results (in North East RT colours) was 9th in
> > the Lincoln GP in 91 (I think) which was stripped of him and widely
> > publicised due to an inappropiate nasal medication given to him by a
> > doctor. He served his ban and came bouncing back to prove his
innocence.
> > As far as I know, he never won a race up here but his seconds and
> > thirds to the Border Fox and co. robbed him of that elusive scottish
> win.
> >
> > The man was not just one of my best friends but also like an older
> > brother to me. He first befriended me in 96 to give me a lift to my
> > first Scottish Race - Anderside Classic(in which he was either 2nd or
> > 3rd), he then became my employer as a labourer for his own landscape
> > gardening business. He gave me countless more lifts, and work. We went
> > drinking together, on occasion, played 5-a-side, went to his wedding
> > etc etc etc. Sorry to drone on but, except for old relatives, this
> > aint happened to me before and im taking it pretty bad.
> >
> > He took a year or two off his 'normal' work to build his own Dream 4
> > bedroomed house on the Scottish Borders. His meticulous desire for
> > doing things right saw him dismiss the shoddy work of the so-called
> > stone masons and take on the entire project himself. Perhaps the
> > stress and effort put into building his home,ultimately concluded in
> > his death - who knows.
> >
> > He leaves his wife of 8 years, Sue, and children Edward and Olivia,
> > our prayers and thoughts are with you.
> > Russell, rest in peace - we will NEVER forget you.
> >
> > Graham Mc - if u are able to head down, let me know. I told Andy M and
> > he cant believe it.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > George Pennel Memorial APR 27th August 2005
> > Pos. No Name Team Time
> > 1 51 Ben Abrahams Velo Ecosse 02:07:06
> > 2 53 Evan Oliphant Recycling.co.uk st
> > 3 47 Andy Matheson MRCC 03:39
> > 4 23 Lawrence Tring ERC 03:41
> > 5 14 Nic Gowrie PCC 03:50
> > 6 49 Steve McEwan Pedal Power 03:52
> > 7 30 Russell Thompson Berwick Wheelers st
> > 8 46 Lee Whitelaw ERC st
> > 9 32 Gregor Brown ERC st
> > 10 50 Michael Mallen SCU Private Member st
> > Edited by - madmicky on 14 Dec 2005 02:11:17
> >
>