Foxes_Trust
Well-Known Member
from the Mercury
HAS HENRY PLAYED HIS LAST POST HORN GALLOP?
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BY TOM PEGDEN
10:30 - 12 August 2005
For two years he has welcomed football players onto the pitch in his riding boots and jodhpurs, blasting out the Post Horn Gallop.
Now, Henry Shipley has been left heartbroken after being told he is no longer needed to play as the teams run on to the pitch at the Walkers Stadium, in Leicester.
Instead a recorded version of Leicester City's signature tune will be played just before kick-off.
Henry can still play the tune - and did at the match against Stoke on Tuesday - but has been offered a spot 15 minutes before kick-off, when the stadium is barely half-full.
Henry says he is now in two minds about whether to take to the pitch ever again.
Mr Shipley, of Syston, said: "I do not want to hang my post horn up. I still want to go down there and play, but I do not feel like playing when there are no people in the stadium.
"At the moment I'm even hesitant about whether I should go down on Saturday or just take my seat and watch the match.
"I could even go down and say I'm going to play it for the last time. I'm in a puzzle."
Following a public appeal in the Mercury, Henry, who was recently diagnosed with leukaemia, was brought in to rouse the fans in 2003. In the 1930s and 40s he played in brass bands at the Filbert Street ground.
Although unpaid, he said he and wife Cathlyn get free season tickets.
The club says it has asked Henry not to play just before 3pm because they are trying out new pre-match music packages - including tunes by Leicester band Kasabian and Oasis - with Henry and his 1939 horn taking a lesser role.
Fans' websites are buzzing over what should be done with Henry. He hopes they will call for his return.
Henry said: "When you go on 15 minutes before, there's nobody there. I'm playing to no-one, but when I come back before kick-off everyone is there and I'm playing to a crowd. I'm very disappointed."
Club community manager Angela White, who broke the news to Henry, said the change was made after consulting fans.
She said: "I accept that he was upset when I told him but we still want him to play 15 minutes before, as he did against Stoke.
"With the recorded version, when the teams come out, we can get the fans clapping along.
"I think fans are of the same opinion.
"Of course it would be a shame if Henry hangs up his post horn. I hope he continues to play."
Foxes Trust spokesman Steve Lewitt said: "The ultimate decision was the club's, but the trust was invited to comment and we polled our members.
"The response was extremely mixed."
HAS HENRY PLAYED HIS LAST POST HORN GALLOP?
More News | Back to home page
BY TOM PEGDEN
10:30 - 12 August 2005
For two years he has welcomed football players onto the pitch in his riding boots and jodhpurs, blasting out the Post Horn Gallop.
Now, Henry Shipley has been left heartbroken after being told he is no longer needed to play as the teams run on to the pitch at the Walkers Stadium, in Leicester.
Instead a recorded version of Leicester City's signature tune will be played just before kick-off.
Henry can still play the tune - and did at the match against Stoke on Tuesday - but has been offered a spot 15 minutes before kick-off, when the stadium is barely half-full.
Henry says he is now in two minds about whether to take to the pitch ever again.
Mr Shipley, of Syston, said: "I do not want to hang my post horn up. I still want to go down there and play, but I do not feel like playing when there are no people in the stadium.
"At the moment I'm even hesitant about whether I should go down on Saturday or just take my seat and watch the match.
"I could even go down and say I'm going to play it for the last time. I'm in a puzzle."
Following a public appeal in the Mercury, Henry, who was recently diagnosed with leukaemia, was brought in to rouse the fans in 2003. In the 1930s and 40s he played in brass bands at the Filbert Street ground.
Although unpaid, he said he and wife Cathlyn get free season tickets.
The club says it has asked Henry not to play just before 3pm because they are trying out new pre-match music packages - including tunes by Leicester band Kasabian and Oasis - with Henry and his 1939 horn taking a lesser role.
Fans' websites are buzzing over what should be done with Henry. He hopes they will call for his return.
Henry said: "When you go on 15 minutes before, there's nobody there. I'm playing to no-one, but when I come back before kick-off everyone is there and I'm playing to a crowd. I'm very disappointed."
Club community manager Angela White, who broke the news to Henry, said the change was made after consulting fans.
She said: "I accept that he was upset when I told him but we still want him to play 15 minutes before, as he did against Stoke.
"With the recorded version, when the teams come out, we can get the fans clapping along.
"I think fans are of the same opinion.
"Of course it would be a shame if Henry hangs up his post horn. I hope he continues to play."
Foxes Trust spokesman Steve Lewitt said: "The ultimate decision was the club's, but the trust was invited to comment and we polled our members.
"The response was extremely mixed."
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