Along with a good number of other Clarets from around the St Albans area , and others who had travelled from Burnley, I attended the funeral of a good Claret today in Leverstock Green, between St Albans and Hemel Hempstead.
Eric Tomlinson was born in 1945 in Burnley and, despite moving to Hertfordshire for work reasons when he was 23, never lost sight of either his Lancashire roots or his love of Burnley FC. In recent years I have known Eric as the organiser of a number of social events for us St Albans based Clarets and he really was a lovely chap who was invariably present until recently at our games in the South and also many home games too.
The funeral saw Eric's coffin draped in Burnley scarves and a huge spray of claret, blue and white flowers. Many of the congregation wore their scarves and Eric was carried out to the strains of The Wild Rover aka No Nay Never on the organ. At the ensuing wake at Leverstock Green cricket club there was much good claret and blue conversation and fond memories of Eric. Our sympathies were all with his wife Jenny , also a regular BFC match attender,
It seemed appropriate to mark such an occasion with a post here as it served to emphasise yet again that we are one big Claret family and, whatever the outcome this season, form may be temporary but the underlying feeling we have for our club, and the community that this creates, is a permanent and important thing.
RIP Eric

RIP Eric

RIP Eric.

RIP Eric, and thoughts go to his Family and Friends.

Great tribute to a fellow Claret. RIP Eric.

RIP Eric

What a lovely post, despite the sadness of the subject.

Very sad news. RIP claret fan.

Nice tribute Stalbansclaret - and my thoughts with Eric's friends and family. Sad to lose another Claret.

RIP Eric

Nice post. Fans together.

Rest in Peace Eric

Rest in peace Eric.

God bless Eric, a true claret that will be missed by many. My sincere condolences to Eric’s wife, family and friends.

Nice tribute to another departed claret. RIP Eric.

God bless you Eric, RIP and UTC.

RIP Eric and nicely put Stalbansclaret

RIP Eric. The touching tribute says a lot about you.

RIP Eric,keep watching the boys from above.

RIP fellow Claret

R.I.P. Eric..A great tribute and send off by St Albans Claret and friends.

Beautifully written G

Please look out for an email from me on Wednesday.

Great tribute. Never met him but I feel I knew him. RIP Eric.

Condolences to friends and family, RIP Eric .

Great tribute, well said

Nice tribute Stalbans, thoughts with family and friends, RIP Eric

stalbans rip fellow claret utc

R.I.P. Eric

Wonderful tribute for a fellow Claret.
R.I.P Eric

RIP Eric ,beautiful tribute Stalbansclaret.

R.I.P. Eric. Lovely tribute Stalbans fair play.

Excellent tribute Stalbans, R.I.P. Eric.

What a lovely tribute...RIP Eric.

Really saddened to hear this. Sounds like a fitting send off for one of our own and an excellent tribute Stalbansclaret. RIP Eric

R.I.P. Eric

RIP Eric

RIP Eric
My condolences to his family and friends.
Wonderful Tribute Stalbansclaret

RIP Eric
Excellent tribute, thoughts are with his family and friends.

RIP Eric. Wonderful to see so many Clarets at the funeral today- really uplifting despite the circumstances. Good chatting to you as ever, St Albans Claret.

Sorry to hear this. My Dad also a Tomlinson from Rose Grove Burnley, born in 1939, also had this song played at his funeral.
Rip Eric

RIP Eric - my condolences to his family & friends

Very fitting words St Albans Claret.
Eric was very proud of Burnley and Burnley FC. It’s been a privilege to know him.
Great to see so many Clarets there.