It is enormously sad news that our friend Kano, Martin Kane, succumbed to his illness this morning. Kano was an ever-present on CQN for four years, on occasion writing our match reports, until illness struck in 2008. He was left completely paralysed, eventually only able to communicate through a machine, requiring round the clock care.
He was isolated in hospital in his home city of Perth, Western Australia, lonely for him and difficult for his wife Carolyn and their family, with no realistic chance of recovery. On hearing this news, CQN reacted in an incredible way. Our also now-departed friend, Pablophanque, wrote, “We need to get this guy home”, and a campaign started to raise the tens of thousands of pounds required to transform part of his home into an appropriate care facility.
As the campaign got underway I remember being concerned, it was going to take at least £60k and I thought we had no chance of getting close to this. Pablo (memorably) didn’t want to head the campaign he started but others soon stepped in and the Bring Martin Home got underway in earnest. Those behind it moved heaven and earth, and within a few months, the money was in place and Kano was back living at home with his family.
The Kano Foundation, a remarkable self-funded organisation which takes kids groups and charities to Celtic games, was established by those running the Bring Martin Home campaign, to harness the expertise and goodwill for on-going good, in Martin’s name.
When I first met Kano’s dad, Matt, who himself is no longer with us, six years ago, I was caught off-guard when he talked about Kano’s life expectancy. Unable to move he was enormously vulnerable to any prosaic infection. He suffered a few health scares but fought through them for far longer than many anticipated.
We got him back on the blog briefly, sharing some of his gratitude for the work done and his humour, but he explained the hours it took to compose his few sentences. He continued to watch Celtic, of course.
This morning our thoughts go to Carolyn and the kids, as well as to his good pal Ramie and those who cared for Martin. Those who decided to get off their arses and change the world for one family back in 2008 should be very proud of what they did, and the years at home they gave Kano.
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RIP Martin, I never got to meet you but I’m looking forward to that day.
God Bless You and your loving family.
slainte
tony
“If ever there is a tomorrow, when we are not together….” CQN’s best post ever…for Kano.
Amidst the words of sympathy and sorrow, I don’t want to distract from our loss today. A little bit of me died today. But I hope in the Resurrection.
MWD asked for the Winnie the Pooh post. Sorry I don’t have the weblink but I filed the text which I copy below. I really think this gave us the belief to go on and, by some form of collective will, win the title that year. I repeat it for one reason only: To underscore the importance of belief.
I believe we will win the Treble this year. In fact, as our tribute to my brother Martin Kane, I insist on it.
My regards to Zbyszek, I hope you don’t mind the hijacking of your genius.
Sannabhoy, no. But thanks for asking. I’ve waited a long time for that.
Many thanks for all the kind words of welcome…back to lurking. God bless. Over to you Mr Z:
Zbyszek’s “Winnie The Pooh” post; essential reading for everyone.
“It’s my post with a title from Winnie the Pooh, author A. A. Milne.: A little Consideration, a little Thought for Others (Celtic), makes all the difference.
“It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn’t use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like “What about lunch?”
As you all know I’m a foreigner who don’t have an easy comfort to express his own opinion. Sometimes I need a dictionary to check the meanings of the words used in your posts. Some posts are very easy to understand, some are not. Things become more difficult when I try to say what I exactly want to say. These days, before OFD I understand everything very well. It’s all about the win against THEM.
“My spelling is Wobbly. It’s good spelling but it Wobbles, and the letters get in the wrong places”.
You never blame me (Zbyszek) here for being Wobbly-man. I’m WobblyWobly man. Not only letters get in the wrong places, but my words get in the wrong places too.
Gordon Strachan is Wobble manager this season in the SPL. He tried very hard to do his best, but this season is different. Right, he was Wobbly with a players, with a players positions and with the tactics.
P.S. Kojo, if you are around, you are Wobbly poster!
“Always watch where you are going. Otherwise, you may step on a piece of the Forest that was left out by mistake”.
I don’t blame Strachan. He achieved a lot ,I think. You cannot blame somebody who went on the top and couldn’t defend his top position. All people in Celtic including Mr. Strachan and Mr. Lawwell should think about mistakes they made. No doubt, mistakes were made. They should start again their job from the place they are now. You always may have worse manager. The bright side is that clever people can do the analyze their mistakes. I’m sure next season Gordon Strachan will be much stronger and much better manager.
“I don’t see much sense in that,” said Rabbit. “No,” said Pooh humbly, “there isn’t. But there was going to be when I began it. It’s just that something happened to it along the way.”
When my Legia won the title two years ago I thought we will be champions until the end of the world.
I couldn’t belive it could be true what one of the experts said: “They won’t be the champions next season. It’s almost impossible to be the champion again, year after year, two in a row.”
Those who are disappointed with the current season, should check CQN archive. I remember what you were posting about. I remember your wishes. Wasn’t it Celtic playing in the Champions League? Yes, it was, but it was only a wish!
“If ever there is tomorrow when we’re not together.. there is something you must always remember. you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. but the most important thing is, even if we’re apart.. i’ll always be with you.”
Some time ago I said that you have too many players who don’t know the club they are playing for. Celtic cannot be the bazaar.
When after the game against Barcelona I met Maciej, my friend from Poland he said: Celtic has few good players, but has more average players. Why the he** they pay such a big money for and to the average players? They have too many expensive, average players. I’m not the expert, but I think Maciej was right.
It’s always sense to stand behind the manager and the players until the end of the season. Even if these are the last days in Celtic for some people, I would support them until the end. They are Celtic players until they wear the hoops.
“If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear.”
No matter if it was two thousand years ago, or maybe yesterday – people come to truth when they respect facts. It doesn’t matter who is right but where the truth lies. Truth will be known only in May. We will see who will be on the top.
“You can’t help respecting anybody who can spell TUESDAY, even if he doesn’t spell it right; but spelling isn’t everything. There are days when spelling Tuesday simply doesn’t count.”
No need to be a Celt, Irish or Catholic to be a Celtic FC supporter. I remember nice welcome I took from here about three years ago. I think, I was the only person who needed some time to think how to write TUESDAY word properly. I may forget how to spell TWESDY, I remember how to spell CHAMPIONS. I will spell it properly in my happy May post.
“You can’t always sit in your corner of the forest and wait for people to come to you… you have to go to them sometimes.”
No doubt, the Celtic helps to understand what people think in the other place. It always helps to change the meanings and to become more intelligent fan.
“Piglet sidled up to Pooh from behind. “Pooh,” he whispered.
“Yes, Piglet?”
“Nothing,” said Piglet, taking Pooh’s paw, “I just wanted to be sure of you.””
Things have changed in my club Legia. We have a conflict: fans against the owners. No chance to see big support at my stadium these days. I don’t want to say: you don’t shout enough loud, but I would like to hear huge noise from first until the last second of the game. No whistling fans, no empty seats. These eleven man want to be sure of you. No matter how the man starts, it matters how he finishes. I really believe the league is not finished. Keep winning, the rest will come. My fingers will be crossed.
“It’s so much more friendly with two”.
My Legia has no chance to be a champion this year, but I have another club I follow.
“People who don’t Think probably don’t have Brains; rather, they have gray fluff that’s blown into their heads by mistake”.
What means Think? Where it happens – THINKING?
As I said, my Legia is many points behind Wisla. Today we played cup game against Wisla in Krakow. Our couch thought we have no chance to go through. He decided to concentrate on the second place in the league. Our second, young squad played against Wisla … and won 1:0. We are still for a cup. Sensational result. Could I believe that three hours ago? I have fluff in my had. Fluff and bones.
I tell you, it’s easier to believe Celtic will be a champion.
“The more he looked inside the more Piglet wasn’t there”.
In May, Rangers will be looking for something which was close, but disappeared.
All quotations are from Winnie the Pooh.”
TTTT , BT , what i knew of Martin , he’d expect nothing less.
I think there might be a few toons on here as well.
To Carolyn , Sean , Alanna , Ramie ,Paul , Mandy and the rest of the family . I know this is the hardest time for you but i hope you can keep this blog entry and the rest of the hundreds and thousands of posts , tweets and comments , as well as the Celtic page , http://www.celticfc.net/news/7442 , and the news clippings to understand how much you and Martin have touched our lives and made them better .
I’ll raise a glass tonight , at 9pm , in Martin’s honour to wish him a peaceful sleep and to thank him for coming into my life and making me , hopefully , a better person for it.
Sleep well my brother in Celtic.
You’ll be missed but never forgotten.
Sanna
We still have many ,many ,many good men & women( & Kids) on here which makes this place a bit special for me.
Even in the midst of a fall out ,if the call goes out to help a Celtic family member ,you can be sure it will be answered and they will soon know that they will “never walk alone”.
Thank you all for being here .
Till later all
CRC thanks for the vids (I think) :))
What a legacy Martin Kane , you will never walk alone. God Bless.
Old Tim
Straight to the heart of the matter with your post
I must have contributed to the bank account all those yours ago, on my list of epayments on my phone I have a button which simply says ‘Pablo’ – it will never be deleted
Rest in Peace Kano
Condolences to all the family and may the good work continue in your name.
Árd Macha,
There were no reports of anti social behaviour on RnaG or Highland Radio, so I must assume that you were on your best behaviour.
Wimmin’, eh? you allow them a shandy at the Bells and they lose the run of themselves all the next day!
RIP Martin, will remember you in my prayers .
Rest in peace Martin, thoughts and prayers to the family in their time of mourning.
I began lurking on the blog in the final days when Martin was contributing and at a time when I was constantly traveling, Martin through his writing, brought home a wee bit closer.
Why I was drawn to Paul’s creation was the compassion and obvious humanity that members of the CQN community demonstrate abundantly in actions, not just words. Martin was among the finest of these.
RIP Martin Kane.
Condolences to the family and thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
There is a wry little smile forming as I type just thinking of some his mails that were very much straight to the point.
God bless
The phrase “rest in peace,” often abbreviated “R.I.P.,” comes from the Latin blessing requiescat in pace (literally, “may he begin to rest in peace”).
Requiescant In Pace Kano
Didn’t know Martin Kane,
but to me, his legacy will last as long as our club,
R.I.P Kano
R.I.P. Kano
T4/BT/Sanna
drinks, laughs and tunes via Youtube??
Sounds like a great way to pay respects to Kano.
HAIL! HAIL!
Token
Toor a loo,
Geez a song
A humbling and emotional place to be.
Nuff said….
Rest In Peace Martin.
I mostly just lurk on this wonderful blog, but I was moved to tears reading all the beautiful things that have been posted about Martin and the generosity of the guys on here. I didn’t know Martin personally, but after reading all the posts I wish I had.
some lovely posts bhoys and ghirls…..
i introduced a mother (emily) and her son (drew) to celtic in october V kilmarnock.
we were wandering about the celtic way,when a load of kids came by in two by two ranks.
emily asked who they were and i explained about the Kano Foundation ,she was impressed by the celtic ethos……
the legacy lives on
Like so many on here expressing their sorrow, I never knew Martin but knew all about his unfair and debilitating illness and of the efforts of the few initially followed by the many afterwards who answered a call that they might have easily ignored. For everyone that got involved in any way whatsoever I salute you and if possible, I’m sending a cyber handshake or pat on the back. You should be very proud of yourself. You represent all that is good about having Celtic in the blood.
In tribute to Martin, I’d like to suggest that 9 Jan every year becomes our memorial day. Kano Day. For Martin, for CQNers lost and for all of our friends and family that have left us.
Today’s blog has filled me with immense pride in all my Celtic community for the truly heartfelt loss that is being expressed
RIP Martin
RIP CQNers gone
RIP all our lost family and friends
CQN eloquence today…thoughts with Kano’s family and friends.
Gabriel in Belfast ……..
Fantastic tribute to Martin Kane.
You summed up what so many of us feel, but we couldn’t put it into words.
Rest in peace Martin
oldtim67
16:09 on 9 January, 2015
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Fitting post, oldtim – noting how common humanity can come to the fore through tragedy.
RIP Kano, no more struggle.
And YNWA Pablophanque, in memory of a true Tim.
RIP Kano.
Rest in peace Kano
Gabriel in Belfast/Oldtim67
Lovely, moving posts from you both.
It’s days like today, when news is at it’s saddest the true magical nature of the blog shines through. Well done to all contributors on this saddest of days.
HH Dan
RIP Kano.
The measure of the man is in the love he inspired
Hail Hail Kano
A very sad day, kano, part of your legacy are the smiles on the children’s face’s in the kano group at Celtic park.
Rest in peace kano.
Very sad news.
Rest in Peace Kano – thoughts to the Martin’s family.
thomthethim for Oscar ok.
You’re right. I’ve made a rod for my own back now also
She’ll be looking out next New Year’s Eve now.
#spoiltrotten
Ard Macha
Rest in Peace Martin Kane
HH
CQN is a special place today, and quite rightly so.
It is a place where “there are no strangers, but one where friends have never met.”
RIP Martin.
YNWA Martin. Give wee Oscar a big hug for me. H H
Gabriel in Belfast / old tim
Just beautiful….well said