Thetownend.com

I hope i'm wrong, but I heard on the grapevine that the person I assumed in real life was Reg, passed away recently. Cancer.
I won't say a name but if anybody on here knows him they may want to confirm (or hopefully deny) that it was him.

Hope you’re wrong, fella

 :( hope not

 :(

Is anybody able to confirm this? Didn't somebody here know his son?

Me and Reg had a few fallings out over the last 15 years or so on here but I do hope this is not correct.

Wasn't it Tails or DV?

It was Tails. Any news?

Hopefully fake news.

This place is poorer without him for sure.

I don't know, I haven't heard anything.

Hopefully fake news as others have said.

Wasn’t me.

I’ve met Reg a few times. I want to say his name is actually Mike but don’t take that as gospel because I am far from certain.

fuck. whoever it is RIP.

Reg is internet old school, really hope he's still around

fB knows Reg's real name I think

Nah, I always just call him Reg.

Think I might have known it once, but I've pickled my memory with booze.

Diesel - can you describe the person who's died?

Very much hope it isn't Reg, obviously, but whether it is or not condolences to the family of the guy who has died.

His name’s Andy, met him a couple of times but not in a very long time. Hope he’s OK.

I'm sorry but I just can't picture him as an Andy. He's Reg all over.

And Port Vale are definitely not in the smallest town in the league. C'mon Reg - small nibble...

Ah man I hope this isn't true. Reg is a ledge.

I've a recollection of his profession too, which should make it easy to join the dots, but didn't want to post stuff publicly in case there's a crossing of wires here.

He's the spitting image of an ex-Premier League referee if that makes it easier for Diesel to confirm?

Oddly, the person I thought was Reg that has passed away, is also an Andy but different surname. Lived in Old Town, a Beehive regular. Might have been a teacher in his younger days? If Andy Phelps is Reg than my grapevine has let me down!

I think our Reg was a beehive regular. Has a picture of the beehive on his profile.

Gutted if Reg has gone. Total respect to another original Townend/Thisthis member to sadly pass away.  :cry: (far too many these past few years)
His knowledge of STFC past and Wiltshire is amazing and I do so miss his posts greatly.
RIP chap.  :(

Surely someone knows Reg's surname if they know him or his son?

I did ask the OP what the name was and it matches the name I know Reg as. I'm fairly certain I do know his son but he hasn't used social media in a long, long time and I'm not about to text him to ask if his dad has passed....

Until I hear otherwise I'll assume this is incorrect but I am a bit concerned

Hi all, I have a sort of related (but not related to Reg) query - would an admin be able to drop me a PM and I can explain more. Sorry not been a poster on here for a while so not sure who runs things now? Thanks

flash or JJ.

I'm pretty worried it is Reg. I don't get why he's not been on otherwise 😢

Understand completely buddy.

PM'd

Is Reg a Marlborough man or Swindon?

Pretty sure he was(is?) an Old Town fella. Regular in the Beehive/Vic.

This may be stating the bloody obvious, but aren't our email addresses stored somewhere on here, could the mods check to see if that gives a clue as to Reg's identity?

Only Bazzza can do that now.

Also he may have signed up with a created specifically for his name generic email address as many new member do to hide their identity.

This thread makes me sad for various reasons.

It’s bizarre in sense.
We are talking about a bloke we’ve all conversed with frequently for anything up to at least 15 years. A bloke which a lot of us have meet in the pub. Yet, it’s bizarre that despite all that no one can seemingly properly track him down.

Obviously we’ve had TEFers pass before but we were outright informed.

No mobile phone, no social media - that such Regness in itself.
I’m not sure if outright knowing it better than forever guessing whether Reg just logged off and never back or not.

Schrodinger’s Smeeton.

Obviously it goes without saying it would be a massive shame if he has indeed passed.

I am pretty sure I was introduced to Reg at a "Turkey Breast Quiz" at the supporters club when I was on the L&P team and I vaguely remember him being called Andy and having a full head of jet black hair, in his early 60s I would say, back in 2009.

One thing is for certain, the legend of Reg will continue far into the future.

I emailed him when he first went dark, though sadly to no avail. And as PV guessed, his email is meaningless sadly.


Are you telling me you administalkers have not found the way around my pathetic "hack" yet?


That actually put a lump in my throat.

Just had a thought. Six degrees of separation and what not...

When I met Reg in Northampton I also met Dexter/Dexeeto then latterly Strooood (I think his username changed to)... He told me a knew Reg when I said I was shocked he was real. Said he'd always known him, and didn't realise he was Reg Smeeton. He was a friend of his Dad's or something.

Now I could be wrong, but I think Bushy was friends with Strooood and a few people know Bushy...

Dex & Bushy we’re indeed pre-forum friends.

We still have Stroooood's details in the DB, so I've emailed him. The email hasn't bounced back, so perhaps we'll get nearer the truth.

I’ve dropped a message to ash, and a couple of others plus a text to a number I had for dex. Will let you know

Nice one. Hopefully someone hears something soon.

Reg is one of my favourite posters on here, I generally find his point of view consistently fascinating and will be genuinely sad if he has passed, as he has been posting on this forum for some time.

Thanks to all those who are trying to check on his well being.

I completely agree with you.

This place is not the same without his input.

Maybe a good sign in that there appear to be no Andy's in the recent Advertiser death notices and obits.
Not so good of course for all of the non Andy's or Andrew's that are listed.

I'd like to think & hope that Reg is somewhere safe and riding out the storm in the company of a carefully selected Eastern European support bubble.

Not sure about him being one of my favourite posters as I seemed to be very much on his shit list, but plus one for this. Hope he is still around and doing well and that he will make a return to these parts. And that if he doesn't, he's happy in what he's doing.

The make or break crunch games pressaging relegation usually came as early as game 5 and safety was only belatedly and grudgingly conceded in a Champion season.

He was the subtlest of trolls and his encyclopaedic knowledge, pre internet, made him the Paul P l o w m a n of this forum.

He'd be in Reg-heaven this season with relegation all but certain and the very existence of the club hanging by a thread.

A unique poster.  I am flummoxed by his absence but really hope he is fit and well.

In joke I'm missing....why does "P l o w m a n" come up when I type "R e g"?

As one who has mainly lurked rather than participated over the last decade I’d have to say Reg is one of my favourite posters. Being ‘The subtlest of trolls’ as Redrag put it is definitely one of the reasons. Perhaps it’s the fact that I did lurk rather than participate that I appreciated that side of him. I remember thinking he played some of you like a fiddle. Hope he’s ok!

Because Reg was Paul P lowman(apparently).

I hope he is a) OK and b) comes back. I have no one to talk about trains with or tell me how the planning system works.  ;)

The best conversations I had with Reg were concerning trains TBH :)

He is unique and I like that even if I don't agree always. I always tend to like the lone ranger types who hold their ground and don't follow the crowd.

Unfortunately we have had no news.

Often wondered if he was Paul but not so sure.
Hope we find that he is OK.

Hopefully no news is good news.

Best wishes to Reg, always enjoyed his input and expertise.

Balls. Heard nothing either.

Sad news if indeed it is true...

Based on the anonymity of members here perhaps we should have a 'Memorial to the Unknown Poster' section for instances like this where we just add there username and allow people to post there fondest memories of their cuntiest posts for posterity...

It's most likely that this will end up being mine...

Isn’t it a strange testament to the way we live that Reg has been part of our lives on a near-daily basis for well over a decade, yet there isn’t one of us who can track him down IRL.

I dunno, I'm struggling to think of another seasoned poster we wouldn't track down

I want him to suddenly return...

Can this season get any worse.

Erggh.

I was thinking about this the other day, for the last 12 months probably the only daily contact I have had outside my working and home environment has been this forum, yet I have never knowingly met anyone on here in the real world and I am only aware of one poster who actually knows my real name.

The modern world is a funny old place innit.

I still hope that Reg is pissing himself at all this and will emerge phoenix like!

I respect your anonymity until you disappear for 3 months :) then its a free for all! :D

What happened to the guy who used to start the match day threads? He vanished very suddenly too

It seems he fell very ill all of a sudden. If it's the same guy, his wife is a bit of a minor celebrity on twitter and has spoken about it. I don't remember what was wrong with him.

He was the first person I thought of when reading about people going missing suddenly.

Wasn't it Shaw Red or something like that?

Shaw rosso

Thats the badger.

Husband of Rachael Swindon isn't he?

Apparently, yes.

hope he's ok. like Reg it's a bit odd just to stop posting

Saying that, you just have to look at the resurrected Favourite Tipple thread to see a number of posters who no longer post. Reg was a high profile poster so maybe more noticeable when he stopped.

Nope.

I sit down corrected, was only repeating what had been said on here previously rather than claiming any sort of ITK.

Shaw Rosso? 

Any news on Reg?

nope

Sorry I didn't mean that nope to be as aggressive as it came out! But no he's definitely not the husband of Rachael Swindon. He's got a son the same age as me, and I'm only a few years younger than she is!

No worries, do we know if he is OK after his rather abrupt departure from here?

we are taking about Shaw Rosso in regards to Rachel Swindon. not reg.


if that's who you mean, ignore me

Who isn't the son of Racheal?

Reg or Shaw Rosso?

I think the son Tails knows is Reg's and Rachael is Shaw Rosso's wife, and I'm Brian.

Ah ffs, my wires are totally crossed then. Ignore everything I've said.... Not just in thread, ever!

So is Reg Rachael Swindon, that would explain a lot....

No.  Paul D is Rachel Swindon and Legends Lounge is Hatie Hopkins.

Someone ban this cunt

Actually I’m Spartacus.

No I'm Brian :pint:

Tails is the only one of these buggers I do know.

Obviously hope Reg is ok, too.

Fucking cheers ;)

 :girlgiggle:

I meant of those arguing/ discussing Shaw Rossi et al.

Dead to me.

Talk about insensitive.

:D

FFS   :doh:

Fixed  ;D

Clearly bored. You may consider getting a hobby.

Bitey bitey.

Hardly pal. Was up at 5am to get some sunrise shots for both a client and for some props for another film I'm producing on. Also shot a fun video message for a family member too. Was all done by around 3pm for a decent cuppa and biscuit. Some never see the hard yards put in behind the scenes but that's ok; I like it that way.

Maybe you need to get a hobby   :)

Anyway, I wish Reg would come back just so I can talk to him about England's trouncing of India in the first test in Chennai. I know he's more of one to frequent Taunton Vale but I'm sure he'd love the hazy and humid environment of the Chidambaram Stadium.

Still no news on Reg then? What an elusive chap. I bet he's loving this, wherever he is.

Bitey, bitey 😁

imo he isn't the type to just sod off and not post.

if he is 'up there' I bet you are right

Reg would be in his element this season - I echo the well wishes in this thread  :)

Hope Reg is OK, this place isn’t the same without him.

Any updates?

Surely someone must have heard something by now regarding Reg's welfare?

Does anyone actually know his real name? If you do then share it to us all.

Reg turned 15 in TEF years (timestamp wise) this week.

Happy TEF Birthday Reg, wherever you are  :pint:

Loads of people did. It was the forums 15th birthday.

it was this version of the forums birthday.

it's older than that though

Clearly, which is why I mentioned the timestamp. But we're talking about an absent member who many here aren't sure is still living ot not. You're clever enough to see that fB.


Yep, as mentioned above. Was really just highlighting the continued absence of Reg. I'm sure he'd have made some reference to 15yrs of this version of the TEF.

I miss reg.

Jesus mate. Not everything is about or an attack on you. Get over yourself a bit.

^^^^ this

^^^^ that

Less is more.

Much less is much more.

Aaand that's an overreaction.

I fucking genuinely give up. It was a post to highlight the absence of Reg. That. Is. All.

^^^^ and the other

Can we really not find out whether he is alive or not? It can't be that hard, surely?

I fear the worst.  :(

me too.

But it would be good to get some confirmation

No one knows his real name? Someone on here must have some info to go on?

Andy/Andrew? Not sure of surname.

Lucan I think.

Not a fan of German sausage then?

My contact confirmed that Reg's name was Andy Beck. Sadly Andy passed away in January at the Prospect Hospice.
The link below will take you to the Beehive Cricket Team Twitter account where you can find a picture of Andy if you scroll down and are interested in putting a face to a name.
https://mobile.twitter.com/cricketbeehive

RIP Reg  :(

That is utterly shit and depressing news. RIP Reg Smeeton

More bastard bad news.
Sad day for the TEF. We can argue, disagree etc but taking a step back united to this basket case football club that we follow.
Sleep easy Reg. RIP.
The thread sums up the real care. Let’s think about this tonight on where we are right now and fans like Reg make all this worth fighting for.
Ffs sad news.

RIP, Reg

RIP Reg

Oh no! I had hoped for the best, but feared the worst.

Goodnight, Reg.

And thanks for posting that, very good of you

Truly sad news, RIP Reg.

Which part of the forum will have the honour of being named after/dedicated (to) him?

Got to be the Reg Smeeton Matchday Thread hasn't it?

The match day section would be my vote for sure.

The political page surely.

Oh man, that's a real shame. Always good value on here, and an interesting chap to talk to over a pint in The Vic with flammableBen.

I will try and bed a young eastern European woman this weekend as a fitting tribute

Thanks for the endless info and rip

Sad news, cantakerous old bugger but he was STFC through and through.  I hate to wonder what he would have made of this season!  A very knowledgeable, RIP Reg/Andy

That photo of him is the first time I’ve seen what he looked like and he is EXACTLY how I imagined.

What a shame - RIP Reg.

oh no. the worst news.

RIP Reg

Sad News indeed  R.I.P Reg.

Well, that's sad news indeed. RIP Reg.

Awful news and a great loss. RIP Reg/Andy  :upsetbye:

RIP Reg

Shit, that's awful news.  RIP Reg.

RIP Reg, the forum equivalent of the local character in the pub who everyone knows but nobody knows well. I don't think it's disrespectful to say he'd have been in his absolute element this season.

A forum tribute really should be focused on nostalgia. The Reg Smeeton good old days section. For when football was good, Eastern European women were willing and Swindon weren't totally doomed. Before Thatcher ruined it all.

I note that the Beehive tribute includes the line 'he would normally be found in his corner of the pub, watching match of the day and talking absolute bollocks'. As in life, as on the TEF. RIP.

Terribly sad to get confirmation but grateful for the update.

Reg seemed to have walked the length and breadth of this Isle - I always enjoyed those tales... and then there was the, erm, love for Eastern Europe.

His outlook on Swindon Town was based on experience. Sometimes his ability to provide an alternative/negative view, especially during good times, could frustrate but he always showed his working.

Such a loss to TEF.

So long, Reg. Rest easy.

RIP Reg

Very sad news, bought a tear to my eyes.

Always enjoyed his posts and banter.

Will be sadly missed !

RIP Reg. Shouldn't it be a forum tribute each season when 50 points is reached and relegation avoided?

RIP Reg

I did think with all the Covid sh*t flying around that it was the problem and hoped all was well, even more sad to know that the curse of cancer has taken him away like so many others. RIP Reg, you have been missed and will be. 

A great idea, RIP Reg

Sad news.  RIP cantankerous old Reg.

Well, that’s a real bugger! RIP ‘Reg’. You were entertaining, informative and annoying in equal measure.

How very sad. I always liked reading his posts and think his absence is a big loss to this place. RIP Reg.

A forum void.
Your comments will be missed.
Your tales of walking will be missed.
Despite some you may have wound up here.

Your cricket chatter will be incredibly missed.
I wonder what his thoughts would have been on the term,
"it's an out" replacing "it's a wicket"?

Many of us so badly wanted to entice you out of your TEF abstinence.
Just for you to say "I just fancied a break, no bother."

 :hmmm: will forever be synonymous with you on here...and I'm sure now many have put a face to the name, they can see you stroking your bearded chin, lining up your next calculated comment. Could the TEF "coders" turn :hmmm: into :reg: or something? That would be nice. Truly knocked back - testament to an individual many of us had never met or even seen an image of.

I hope you're playing at being an Umpire wherever it is you may be...grit in my eye...must be from the 10miler I walked today...sleep well man. I hope you took your "whites" with you.

Really sad news. RIP Reg :(

he looks nothing like I though he would, much cooler in real life :)

I've been reading his posts since the MOS days

my stfc world is a little bit darker today.

RIP Andy/Reg/SleepingMinnow

Fuck sake...

RIP Andy/Reg.

No idea, what I thought he looked like, but it wasn't like that!

It's how I pictured him.

Bollocks. RIP reg/andy

Sleep easy Reg.
Like others on here I miss reading your take on everything.
RIP Red Reg

That’s sad news indeed. I always appreciated the spice that Reg could bring to a conversation and often felt the urge to defend his views, being a realist (negative git) in a similar mould myself. He didn’t need defending obviously. Since Reg was notable for not wanting to predict scores, I wouldn’t want to suggest the predictions league is named after him, although there would be a certain irony to that, which would make me smile.

RIP Reg. Sad, sad news.
As many have already said, he would have enjoyed this season more than last which probably sums him up pretty well.
I often disagreed with him & would find myself biting my tongue at some of his posts but he added real value to this forum & it'll be a poorer place without him.

Sad news. I always enjoyed reading Reg's musings, bizarre hypotheses and the random correlations drawn between the now and a team from history.  Like a promotion chasing team needing an experienced right back, the TEF needs a Reg.  I think the Reg Smeeton Matchday action/reaction forum would be a fitting tribute. RIP Reg.

This upsets me more than virtually any of the names posted in the Snuffed It thread. Reg was family - ok maybe the know-it-all uncle who had an anecdote for every occasion and a theory for every debate - but TEF family nonetheless. We knew so much about him as an STFC and Beehive regular, a nature and railway enthusiast, an aficionado of Eastern European womanhood, and yet when he disappeared, we discovered how little we knew. A statement on the internet age.

Not many of us come across as uniquely as he did on here, and the TEF has lost one of its most distinctive voices. RIP Reg.

_{*And Brighton is the club based in the smallest town/village in the league. I GOT THE LAST WORD.}

I think we all suspected it, but it feels like a real body blow to finally find out.  I don't know any of you, but have shared a lot of time virtually with many of you. I'm surprised how saddened I feel about losing one of you.  RIP Reg Smeeton - The walking encyclopedia.

I knew him, never realised that's who Reg was. He used to stand, then sit, in Shrivvy Road. He was exactly as some of you describe. My condolences to his friends and family. RIP

Haven’t been on here as long as some fellow TEF members, but always enjoyed Reg’s post. RIP Reg

Burslem.

RIP Reg.

Gutted.  Chatted and sparred with Reg/sleepingminnow for more than 20 yrs.  Sure we never met in person, which somehow adds to the empty feeling on hearing this.

Rest in peace, cyber-friend.

I haven’t posted on here for a long time, but saw the sad news on Twitter and felt compelled to comment.  I always enjoyed Reg’s posts and his excellent knowledge.  He often defended me as well when I veered on the negative side and got some stick.  We were kindred spirits.  I’m absolutely gutted to be honest.  An utterly crap end to an already crap week. Sleep peacefully Reg/Andy ❤️ xxx

He was an awkward old bugger.  And I don't subscribe to the theory that he was trying to get a rise from people with some of his more contrarian postings.  He was no troll.  I think he believed what he posted...especially when it came to the lowly status of our football club.  He's up there, right now, giving it the full 'I told you so!'

RIP Reg.

Encyclopaedic on matters STFC but also this Forum's most distinctive poster.

Condolences to your family & friends.

Thanks, Diesel, for passing this on.

Shit and sad news. I enjoyed regs posts and admired his empirical (sometimes) evidence to back him up. Never met the guy but felt a big affinity with him albeit I've shagged considerably less (0) Eastern European ladies

Sorry to hear this. RIP Reg.

Bastard.  >:(

Gutted to hear the news, liked old Reg.
RIP

RIP Reg, a legend of the Forum and one of our own

Literally lying in bed crying about a man I didnt even know. If life is about impact, then in this small part of the world, yours was felt.

RIP Reg from 18000 kms away

Unfortunately I think we all expected the worst once this thread was made.

Although I did have to have a good look at that picture. It’s easily been 10 years since I last crossed paths with Reg but he was always clean shaven, wearing glasses (I think?) and had jet black hair!!

Nearly always enjoyed his posts and had plenty of back and forths with him down the years.


The TEF is definitely a poorer place without him.

Not sure how long ago he was a teacher at Commonweal but I’ll have to ask my ex Mrs who also worked there if she knew him.

Too short an innings, but I bet he packed in way more than most.

RIP Reg.

Likewise. I met him once, maybe twice, and in my mind he was the spitting image of Alan Wiley the ex-referee.

This is really shit news. I'll miss his encyclopaedic knowledge of pretty much everything STFC and always being the voice of caution and realism, even if it riled most of us up when he did.

The legacy of Reg and this thread strikes home why we need our club back.

Very sad news.
Didn't know Andy, but got to know Reg over the years.
Thanks for sharing, informing & educating as well.
RIP.

Yeah, good shout on the look a like.

I had to look quite hard around the eyes/nose.
The description was pure Regness but at a passing glance I would have never taken that photo as being Smeeton.

It would usually be around this time of a struggling season (well, probably much earlier this time) that Reg would start a ‘Who else is in League 2 next season’ style post, much to everyone’s frustration. He’d always have the last laugh when he turned out to be right!

Extremely sad news. RIP, Reg.

Shit. Rest in peace Reg/Andy. Very sad news.

Met him once at Six Fields over 15 years ago. Seemed a nice bloke.

From a forum perspective I don’t think he ever grated, he was more like you wise old uncle who’s knowledge and life meant his opinion got respect even if you didn’t agree.


Same. As Samdy says, very Alan Wiley. Also didn’t recognise him from the photo.

Well done mods for the matchday thread title change  :nod:
I see Reg's last post on here was in response to a post I thought he'd like about a 1960's road trip from London to Bath along the A4. He stuck up an old pic of Calne town centre. Brings a smile to my face. Good on yer Reg.

Gutted

Oh this is really sad news 😔 RIP Reg

RIP Reg, STFC cyber legend.

RIP Reg, we often fell out over stikers and right backs :) but you were always there posting your often negative views, I will miss the discussions.

What a shit year since lockdown its been for the TEF with 1st Sussex, then TalkTalk and now Reg as well as a few others too I am sure.

You can now argue with Cloughie that he got the formation wrong in a game vs Southampton in 1974 when he played the inexperienced right back and didnt have a 20 goal striker in the team :)

I didn’t know about Sussex.

Yes mate he passed away back in August. Literally a day after I spoke to him saying we were going to meet for a beer and a meal next time I was up in Swindon.

Whits and Neville too  :(

Anyone know how Sutton is doing?

I think Sutton is good, well I hope so.

A bit like DV and Samdy I remember a shortish guy with glasses, looked nothing like that photo. It was in the legends lounge.

Do you think the 3 of us were told it was Reg and it wasn't :)

Such sad news, like many others never knowingly met the guy, love him or hate him, he'll be missed on here. R.I.P Reg.

He told me he was Reg! ....and he spoke exactly how Reg would post.

If anything it’s more likely the picture guy is an imposter than the Reg we’ve aquatinted...but...despite the picture the obituary is so Reg...

FB would know for sure and he has posted above.

RIP Sir Reg.  :( Thisis original crew member to a Townend forum legend.
Years ago in the early days, he stuck up and message me when DMR and Sonic used to bully me over my spellings and grammar. (yes I'm still shit at it  :D ) Got me down, but he did help. Thanks chap.
Top man that will be missed by us all. RIP.

Agree with the photo comments. I had a little burst of utter relief when I first saw the photo as I was sure it wasn't our Reg. Always knew him as smart and clean shaven.

Can anyone get a message to his family at all? I think if it was my dad, I'd like to read this thread about how well liked(!) he was by dozens of people who never really met him.

So sad to hear the news  :cry:

Will certainly miss his ramblings and the TEF will be a much poorer place without him - what a truly shit year this has been !

This is probably total denial on my part but what if Diesel turned out to actually be Reg  :hmmm:

Steam Trains = Diesel Engines = Very new poster = Diesel/Reg Reborn.

Someone also mentioned another Andy being Reg - Andy Phillips or something?!

Regardless of my ultimate not wanting to accept it, Reg will live on for a long time any way.

Was wondering, and Berni this is aimed towards yourself. Since we have no idea around TEF sponsorship (because I don't think we can see any prizes forthcoming), would it not be a good gesture to donate all the monies for this season to the Prospect Hospice/Beehive Cricket Club? Maybe pay towards arranging to have a commemorative bench for where they play at? Or even something in the pub where he used to sit?

We could somehow, (maybe via the Beehive Pub or CC) let his family know. As well as Jayo mentions above. I'm sure they would be incredibly touched to know "Reg" was thought of not just by those that knew him in real life as Andy but far reaching across the ether as "Reg".

It's just a thought that would be nice touch from the TEF  :-[

A real shame, RIP Reg.

Nah. Reg liked to keep his forum and real lives separate, a good example of this is none of us knowing if he was actually  fucking dead.
Reckon leaving it that way would be more suiting.

RIP Reg.

My stepson is quite good mates with Andy's son, although I didn't know he was Reg. I've sent him a link to the thread and the renamed Matchday Thread section and asked him to pass it on to the family if he thinks it would be something they would appreciate.

Been reading his posts for many years and always liked reading his musings on things STFC and more generally on life. I recognise his face I think, probably from old town pubs and parties back in the 80's. Strange to feel so sad about someone I didn't really know passing away. RIP Reg - you deserved a much better final season.

RIP Reg Smeeton always looked forward to reading your posts.

Reg's absence was noted well before that.  We were discussing it back in Nov on the thread linked below.  And, although we didn't know it then, he was still around at that point.

TEF: Disappearing Members (http://thetownend.com/index.php?topic=43903.msg1585361#msg1585361)

Still gutted.  A very perceptive and knowledgeable chap.  There were a few things I never really shared on here over the years that he saw right through anyway.

Thanks Paul.

I felt like I had been punched in the gut when I read this on Twitter last night.  RIP Reg

We only have £20 surplus in the Player sponsorship pot as we had 2 pledgers but non-payers.  I think you might know one of the non-payers Bamboo ;)

The £20 in the kitty is probably not going to go that far for anything really

Aye, I know I ended up holding back as there was nothing forthcoming (or maybe I missed it) from the club, considering furlough etc. and now the current state of things at the club...I was thinking more the sponsorship put in or had that all already been submitted to the club Lee Power's money purse?

:)

The sponsorship money was paid up to the club and to the Swindon Town Womens team.

So to Lee Power's money purse then  ;)

Oh yeah, forgot about the STFC Women's sponsoring via the brilliant Mike Dixon. Does he still do pianos and things like that? Nice guy :)

Feel very sad about this news. Loved his spirit.

What a shame, the forum really feels like it will never be the same. Rest in peace Reg.

Haven't had the chance to take this news in yet, but its really a sad time, and a bit off to feel this way for someone I have never met in real life. A lot has already been said but what a character he was. Intelligent, opinionated, respectful, humourous at times.

Along with Nev and the others who have made this forum so good Reg will be missed greatly. RIP Reginald.

Hi Everyone!

One of Andy/Reg's sons here, glad you managed to work out the true identity of the illusive Reg in the end! Just to confirm, if there was still any confusion, that the Beehive Cricket post was accurate.

After having this thread passed onto me by PaulD, vis his step son, I just wanted to pop on and say thanks for all the brilliant tributes and words to reminder him. I passed this onto my Brother and we were both touched by the legacy he has seemingly left here. He loved this forum, I still remember some 18/19 odd years ago when we got our first PC and internet at home when he signed up.

Thanks for posting posting in what must be a hard time for you all.

I don't need to repeat what has already been said here (and on Twitter incidentally), all very genuine and with warmth. I'm sorry to have never met him in real life.

I bet he is looking down smiling on you all, Rothman's yearbook in hand ...

+1 what Batch said. Nice to know it has helped in some way

+2

Well said Reg Jr. Thanks for sharing

Agree with all that's been said. RIP

Every forum needs a Reg and he will be sorely missed.

RIP Reg...

We could perhaps audition for someone to take the role on?

I think his shirt number should be retired. Those boots are too big to fill.

R.I.P. Reg.

Thanks for posting RegJr. I lost my old man when I was 32 - don't care how old you are, it's fucking hard.

He will be missed.

Sorry for your loss Reg Jr. He is missed here and will always be remembered by anyone who's read this forum.

Hello there. I visited my old mate's house today to meet with the ex-partner of 'Reg' and only found out about this website then and the nom de plume of my old chum. Do people now know 'Reg's' identity? I collected a lot of 60s STFC programmes today from the house. It's been a sad time for me but great to discover how he was held in such esteem on this site. I have discussed with 'Reg's' ex-partner about holding a memorial walk for him. An idea she loves. That will be in May and will be to do with the 1926 General Strike in Swindon - detailed history 'Reg' found out from me shortly before his decline. I will liaise with 'Reg's' ex-partner about holding a performative remembrance do at the Beehive later in the year when circumstances allow. If anyone is interested in that, then please let me know. And let me know if 'Reg's' identity is still unknown. Best wishes from an STFC exile in Stroud.

Bloody hell Wormhole. This made me well up...what a lovely idea to hold a memorial walk. "Reg" and I nearly arranged meeting for a hike (possibly followed by some cricket watching at Trent Bridge/Chesterfield) probably a two or three years ago.

We often talked about different walks. I think the Howardian Hills was the last area we spoke about albeit briefly. I'm not local to the area as you may have figured out but I would love to take part in the memorial walk - possibly virtually. I would have absolutely have loved to have gone on a little trek with Reg.

I'm sure others will be keenly interested too. It's quite amazing what an impact this guy had on many of us and as you say, only recently being discovered by the people even closer to him. I'm not crying.

Thank you bamboonoclue. You've made me feel welcome straightaway. I'll be doing the General Strike walk on May 8th around the railway village and then along the old canal and the old railway line up to Old Town. My mate from Stroud who knew 'Reg' too will be there. I'm sure we can find a way to do it virtually through words and images - because I'll have to restrict numbers, of course. Looking forward to contributing something special for 'Reg'. With the walk, first. Then a Beehive eulogy event when circs allow.

Only chatted to him in person a few times, mostly in the Beehive but did point him out once or twice to others at the Country Ground, I don't think one person believed me.

RIP Andy/Reg.

Did anyone ever find out how he'd come up with his forum moniker? He'd neve tell me when I asked.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Henry_at_Rawlinson_End_(film)

Wormhole's 'welcome' comment made me think - Sippo hasn't posted for a while. I know some here know him IRL. Is he ok?

(Sorry for thread hijacking, couldn't find the 'disappearing members; thread)

He hasnt posted on twitter for ages either

Maybe he's just enjoying being able to sit in a beer garden with a pint  :hmmm:

Plus, is his work not connected with schools/education? Maybe it's all been a bit all go and so now the pubs have opened (seriously this time), he's using that as his unwind time, rather than the TEF?

Edit:

Also logged in last on March 22nd

Last comment was mid Feb.

It's Sutton I'm more worried about, don't think he's posted since before Crimbo  :(

Probably too unlikely a coincidence, but I once worked with a guy about my age calles Reg Mitson, and I did wonder if there was a connection. Perhaps a friend or relative.

Im up for a meet in the Beehive!

+1

See my link above, Reg Smeeton is a character in a film from 1980 called Sir Henry at Rawlinson End.

Reg Smeeton was the main character played by Ian McDiarmid.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sir_Henry_at_Rawlinson_End_(film)

Me too

I see a two or three people are up for a Beehive 'Reg' eulogy event. I'll be on that after I have run the Reg Smeeton Memorial Swindon General Strike Walk. That's on May 8th. The Beehive event will be after the 17th May, sometime. I have written something that I have shared with 'Reg's' ex-partner and she thinks it lovely and fitting. I'll share that on-line at some point. If anyone wishes to book a place on the walk then please let me know. I think 3 of us are coming over from Stroud so there's space for another 3 on the walk. AND if anyone would like to leave any words on here that I can add to the eulogy so that there is a postscript for 'Reg' then that would be brilliant. Many thanks from Stroud.

I've not really posted about Reg, but as it's 4.30am in the morning and drugs and booze have been partaken, I doubt there is a better time.

Apart from recognising his face more, I only knew reg the same as the rest of you. He was one of those guys I'd see around Old Town loads. You know how you get that with your seasoned local pub drinker? Once you've chatted once you see them about everywhere. I'd honestly like to tell havean amazing story about how I found out Reg's real first name was Andy or something, but I don't really have one. Think another local seasoned pub drinker I was chatting to knew him from the olden days in the somewhere (probably beehive - but I don't think he was averse to spreading his wings for a pint - I used to bump into him all over the place - our shared aquaintence was much of the same ilk). Shame I hadn't bothered to find out his last name, I'm sure I could have done at the time but "Reg" honestly seemed to like to keep that seperate, even having a conversation with a shared aquaintence who was calling him by his real name whilst I was calling him Reg. Either we were all too pissed or nobody seemed to care - to me he was reg, I knew him off here.

I'd end up seeing Reg around a fair bit, sometimes not for ages, and never often enough for it be weird if that makes sense? Often down the back of Old Town between Eastcott and Vic Hill. I think he lived up that killer hill up from the beehive, the one which takes you from the level of the beehive at the bottom to the level of the castle at the top at like a 45 degree angle, but normally see him around there, or Union Street, or Prospect, that tidy little zone which very much misses the Prince of Wales (Side note - don't think I ever saw Reg in the PoW, used to hang out with there with BBC Wilts Mark who did the footy show for a year or two, he was another top guy, and beehive drinker).

Honestly though our chats were normally pretty short, "how ya doing" "yeah ok You" sort of stuff. Now and again the stars would align and we'd bump into each other pissed in the Vic or somewhere and we'd chat for a bit. Fuck knows what about though, we were probably both pissed, if I'm honest I'd probably try and impress him with a random bit of STFC knowledge I'd recently found out. I can see if I'd done that in the last week or two:
 "HEY REG"
(I'd honestly just call him Reg even if others about were calling him Andy, seemed right, especially if i was pissed. Enough of you have shouted "FLAMMABLEBEN" at me across pubs before. Which I love btw, although a bit weird to explain to the lovely young or older subject of my attention)
"WHAT'S THE ONLY KEEPER TO SCORED FOR US"

To be honest at this point he would have known, not heard me, pretended not to here me, or have literally read the whole thread on here the same afternoon making the whole thing completely pointless.

Not really sure where I'm going with this, but he was a nice chap when I met him in real life, but I knew him through here the most.

Think the last time I saw him he was beardy and we stopped to exchange pleasantries, but I was on the way home from an unexpected stay at a lady friends, and really needed to get home for a shit. True Story.

Sorry if that's a bit rambly.  Bit drunk. Also sorry I think I turned off the spell checker so forgive any random letters.

Word

Hello everyone. I've written a eulogy for Andy Beck that I have shared with his ex-partner. I'll post the link later. It's written as a performative piece that people can join in on when I eventually get to the Beehive. It will also feature on our General Strike Swindon walk on May 8th. I'm also in the throes of writing a Reg Smeeton eulogy that I'll add on to the Andy Beck one. Again, I'll eventually post a link.

Thanks WoT.

The General Strike walk is so Reg.  He & I had some conversations on here way back about Cobbett's Rural Rides.

Used to quite enjoy the fact I never (knowingly) met him in person, and yet could have these random internet discussions over so many years.  But now, I sort of regret never meeting him if I'm honest.  Sure he'd have been a great companion to share a few beers with.

Used to go to matches and drank regularly with Reg in the late 70's, early 80's in the Wheatsheaf, Old Town. I remember going on the special train with him to Wimbledon for the 4th round League Cup match in 79/80. Some pissed up bloke threw up all over the floor and Reg leapt up and put his teacher training to good use by spreading out his Guardian newspaper over it to mop it up. Fuck me that stank!
Weirdly, I also went to a couple of disco's with him to Edith Stevens House in Bridge Street to raise money for the Communist Party.
They were good times. Sadly I lost touch with him as the years went by but he was a good bloke, very knowledgable and good company.

This thread although very sad is a great read and has many warming posts in it. I love how Reg kept his personal life separate from this forum of which he was a formidable contributer. Of course he shared his tales from travels etc which I loved to read but keeping forum and real life separate he was the king of. I think it's the best way and I do the same to a point.

Six of us are coming over from Stroud on May 8th for a commemorative walk about the 1926 General Strike in Swindon and remembering Reg, too. Tony Hillier, the Swindon community poet, hopes to meet up with us and I've been asked to send some words and photos through to the Swindon writer, Angela Atkinson, for the blog. Remembering Reg.

Happy to write a spoken word piece if that's ok with anyone/all connected  :-[

Yes please, bamboonoclue.

You may need to extend it to the 9th as well. ;)

 :nod:

Boom boom Mr Orange haha!  :clap:

I wrote a very much, ad hoc Limerick for a guy just last week  :D

Was just messing with you Kev, I'm sure whatever you pen will do REG proud.

I know you were fella :) I'm sure Ramarni Edwards-Green will appreciate it ;)

Here is the Reg Smeeton eulogy: https://sootallures.wixsite.com/topographersarms/post/the-reg-smeeton-eulogy

absolutely beautifully written WOT.

thank-you

Nice one WOT.

Both that and the companion Andy Beck piece (I had a bit of a wander round the site) are both beautiful pieces of writing. You have done your friend proud.

Thank you WoT.

Thankyou

Lovely work WoT. Hope my younger relatives take a bloody long look at this and start planning something decent.

Enjoyed reading that. Great job

Well done! No reliance on one line meeting all the goal. Contributions came from all over the piece! A strong spine to the work and strength of feeling that comes right back is the work of a seasoned pro!

Top work that  :cry:

So you're saying it has an experienced right back?  :hmmm:

A necessity! 😁

A brillliant piece of work and a fitting tribute to a man I never met (at least I don't think I did!) but who we all admired for his vast knowledge on all matters STFC, railways, eastern eureopeans and various places he had walked or cycled to.

Being impossibly late to this sad news neither diminishes the pain at reading about the loss of a fine chap I never knew, nor prevents my heart from leaping at the sheer humanity and warmth of the TEF ❤️🤍

Thanks for all the appreciative and heart-warming comments, TEF. The Reg Smeeton Eulogy has now been visited over 325 times. More to come in the next month or so about Reg.

I enjoyed reading both pieces. Where did Reg go to school? When his real-life name was disclosed, it rang a distant bell from my junior school days!

Really beautifully written, I'm sure Reg would be proud as punch but still moaning about a grammatical error somewhere.

I'll be visiting home on June 5th with friends from Stroud for a Swindon General Strike walk. We'll be calling in at the Beehive. I'm intending to read a couple of Reg eulogies outside the County Ground at 3pm. Shrivenham Road side. That's the plan. I imagine we'll be in the pub about one o'clock. We'll be about six in number from Stroud.

Re the Beehive. Best to check nearer the time, but doesn't look as if they'll be reopening until 21st June.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/120259540924/

Thanks for that WB. Will miss out the pub, alas.

Will have something ready for you by the agreed date, if not before. Coming along nicely.

Not sure if you checked/received the DM on here but there's a little more info there, from what I remember :)

Excellent. Looking forward to it, Bamboonoclue. Pardon my ignorance, what's the DM mean etc.? Apologies for my ignorance. It's a Reg thing, I suppose. I remember being on a bus with Reg near Marlborough and saying that a friend of mine was constantly complaining about the fact that I seemed to be stuck in the year 1797/8. Reg replied straightway, 'Dunno what he's moaning about. I'm stuck in the Neolithic, mate.'

It's a message, check your messages on this site

Sounds like you could make a pretty good surrogate Reg if you cared to stick around on here for a bit WoT.

What are your views on right backs and Burslem Port Vale?

As an outside right in my youth, I was more bothered about left backs. But as regards right backs, my dad played for Swindon Buses in the 1930s and a team mate was Terry Wollen's dad. Terry's career alongside John Trollope cut short by a broken leg in the 1962-3 season. As regards Burslem, living in Stroud, the nearest football league team is Forest Green Rovers. A mere hamlet.

Though Reg would have argued that Burslem was smaller. Against all available evidence.

I would however take issue with Wikipedia's claim that Nailsworth, at 5794 inhabitants, is "the smallest settlement ever to host an English Football League team". Who knows which club is currently located in a smaller parish?

Is it Port Vale?

 :crash:  :suicide:  :clap:

Sorry :D

Just a quick update for WoT:

The piece I have written is ready and have emailed you with the link to it :)

It's not more than 25mb is it Bambs?  :)

Thanks for the piece, Bamboonoclue. It's the General Strike/Reg Smeeton commemorative walk on Saturday. I imagine we'll be remembering Reg outside the Shrivenham Road stand at 3pm. Will share your piece, Bamboonoclue. But will be great to remember together up the Beehive, sometime. All the best, WoT.

4D - I think it was 24.99mb  :)

WoT - Absolutely no problem at all. It was a pleasure to write and I hope it has done Reg and those who shared his love of steam engines just a little bit of justice  :-[

Who knew that steam engines and football formations could have so much in common!

My last textual word on Reg here but a spoken word eulogy for Reg outside the Shrivenham Road stand today at 3 in the unlikely event of anyone fancy being there. https://sootallures.wixsite.com/topographersarms/post/requiem-for-reg-smeeton

Hope it all went well and as planned WoT. The "Req for Reg" is a great read.

Yep. Thanks. Showcased Swindon to some politicos who were interested in the General Strike and who had only ever driven around the town before. And made the CG dead on 3 o'clock for a Reg reading/eulogy. We'll do the Beehive sometime. Is the appalling Tory MP, Brendan Clarke-Smith, who has apparently likened taking the knee to the England team giving the Nazi salute in Berlin from round your way, Bamboonoclue?

We've put together a list of football cliches in memory of Reg. The Reg Smeeton Memorial Lexicon Cup is at https://sootallures.wixsite.com/topographersarms/post/get-your-book-out-ref

Beehive pint

Lovely stuff again WoT.

I'll be posting the piece I wrote end of May, in Reg's honour on here sometime tomorrow (Fri) afternoon. Feel free to also post it on "The Topographer's Arms" too if you like. Permission granted and all that :)

It really was a joy to write.

That's grand, Bamboonoclue. Will do, with pleasure. Until we meet ...

And yet nothing about an experienced right back.

I know Reg loved a statement Friday and yesterday was definitely that. We can all probably take a bit of a breather for a couple of days and get back to watching some footy.

With statement Friday and Reg in mind. I thought it only fitting to release the spoken word/eulogised piece I wrote for WoT and friends, which they performed outside the County Ground at the beginning of this month. Find it attached below :)

There's steam trains, football formations and even talk of a right back (yep, an experienced one) included. I know WoT and friends enjoyed/reflected/chuckled at my scribblings in memorandum to the encyclopaedic one. Here's hoping at least one of you on here does also.

If today were a matchday, we might be just about to set off "From the Beehive to Burslem". Enjoy and raise a glass for Reg Smeeton/Andy Beck  

:pint:

Well done, Baboonoclue. Excellent stuff to come to when just back from a bike ride. Something Reg and I did a fair bit, in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Wales and Ireland. Last night a Darlo/Barrow/Newcastle mate and I looked at some of Reg's old programmes. They go back to 1958 with the score recorded on the front in a child's careful script. We are donating most to care homes to support dementia projects, and 'Talking Football' ideas. We also have Reg's collection of fossils which my wife and I have put into a Belfast sink rock garden. Bound to bring us luck next season and beyond! We also have Reg's childhood collection of a few Victorian pennies - shall select one as a lucky penny and hope it brings us luck next season.

Glorious stuff. What a day for a bike ride too! Absolutely brilliant in regard to the footy programmes.

Big fan of fossils and paleontology in general. Great near me, amongst the Cretaceous chalk line with several fully preserved sponges amongst other marine fossils. I can't ever remember discussing any of this area with Reg (even briefly) - unless my mind escapes the conversation.

It's nice you have several mementos to give a physical reminder of Reg/Andy. I'm sure your wife and yourself have been blown away by the many contributions, anecdotes and tributes from total strangers over the last few months.

Here's to a hopefully fruitful season!