Paul McCann - A Memorial by David Homer for the Charity Cricket Day

Welcome here to everyone who has gathered for this very special occasion.
It is what promises to be a truly unique day in that given the choice none of us would actually want to be here. However we are all deeply aware of what today is all about and I am sure the man himself Paul McCann would want everyone to have a fantastic and ludicrously overindulgent day on his behalf. With no expense spared on alcohol and weather permitting, plenty of sun-tanned faces. Not to mention a generous dose of good humoured stories whilst reminiscing the afternoon away.

Paul loved the Cricket club. Playing for several years and teams. There are various pictures of him inside the club house on the walls. Looking immaculate and pristine and proud, in the same way in which he looks in his Navy photos. Later on of course due to his Navy commitments it became impossible for him to carry on representing Halesowen. Although he did represent the Navy team several times including on a tour of the Caribbean. This was happy go lucky Paul all over. Who else could join the Navy just before the second Gulf war and end up playing cricket in the West Indies? We all used to laugh and joke about how easy his life was and how lucky he was to get away from Halesowen on a regular basis to such exotic destinations.

What we did not realise at the time was just how precarious and risky his job was. Not many of us really ever told him how proud we were of him. Without brave people like him to defend us we would all be so vulnerable. It is easy to take our liberty and way of life for granted, and I do not mean it lightly when I say we owe him and those who have served before him everything. So as you enjoy the game and a pint just spare a thought for why Paul was out in the Artic. Yes it was a career but it also meant so much more to him.

If he was here, he would of course have the most ridiculous and flamboyant pair of sunglasses on you have ever seen together with a Beckham style earring and spiky red highlighted hair. And there isn’t much I wouldn’t give to see that sight sat out on the terrace today. As usual he would be heckling and then shouting encouragement, always the life and soul of everything. Then he would have one too many (usually his third pint) and start annoying you. But you could not help but warm to him. Tell him to get lost and you would get an arm tightly wrapped around your neck and a big cheesy grin. He was truly an infectious character in every way. Oozing life and vibrancy from every pore.

So please everyone, really get stuck in today and let your hair down as that is what Paul would be doing. Talking to everyone and having a laugh. And saying hello to people he hardly or didn’t even know. Giving each and everyone the time of day.

There are so many things to learn from Paul. But my favourite has to be his ability to communicate with anyone and everyone. Just think what a better world this would be if everyone could take a little bit of his huge ability to just stop and say hello.

Enjoy the day everyone…..Dave Homer