ADDICTION AND ANTHONY – PART 1…

by | Mar 29, 2019 | Mark and Liam

1991 St Joseph’s RC Primary School, Bolton. I was playing football on the school field with my mates. I couldn’t help but see the ‘new lad’ playing marbles on his own at the side paved area at the side of thepitch. Two of the twins out of our class had been spending most of our lunchprovoking and taunting him. I walked over and told them to leave him alone. I askeddoes he want to play football with us. That was the first time I ever met mybest friend Anthony (aka Mez!). 

We both shared a love of Bolton Wanderers and it also helpedour mums always got on in the school yard. 

We spent a lot of time with each other in primary school andAnthony also joined the football team I played for, which meant us spendingmore time with each other. 

We then moved up to secondary school and that’s where ourfriendship kicked on, often over a bottle of cider on the park. I would oftensleep at Anthony’s when I was out drinking cider with all the lads (and girls)on the park. I would usually leave my mums about 6pm, ring her from the phonebox and say I’m sleeping at Anthony’s. We would then go and meet everyone withour bottle of cider and the rest as they say is history! 

We got in many scrapes together but more importantly we had some laughs. 

I always remember how much Anthony was loved by his mum anddad, Anne and Don and I also knew how much he looked up to his older brothersColin and Danny. I used to think they were the perfect family and alwaysthought how lucky Anthony was to have older brothers and his dad to go to theBolton game. 

That’s no reflection on how my mum was bringing me up. Shedid a brilliant job of being my mum, dad, brother and mate. 

Little did I know around that time Anthony’s brothers werebattling drug addiction. Anthony never really mentioned it at school. To himthey were still his heroes and he never really spoke about their battles. Ithink it’s hard for any young lad to speak about such problems in his family. 

Looking in from the outside I just saw Anne and Don beinggreat parents and that Anthony was loved. Nothing else. I didn’t see addiction.

When the wheels came off with my addiction Anthony was arock to me. If you have watched our Youtube video you will see I did somepretty rubbish things to him. Things that until that video I hadn’t spokeabout. 

Maybe he was better prepared to deal with it as he has beenaround it most of his life. 

Anthony never judged me. He always just seen that same ladthat came and asked him to play football at school, in 1991. 

I’ll end this blog by saying thank you to the Maher’s foralways being kind to me. 

Anthony’s dad, Don for being a great dad to Anthony andalways being kind and supportive to me. Also for not caring what anyone thinksof him and wearing crocs to the pub. A top top man.

Anthony’s mum, Anne for being a great mum to Anthony andalways being kind and supportive to me. All the bacon butties you made for uswhen we were hungover in our teens. A lovely funny woman. 

Anthony’s Wife Amy, for being a great wife to Anthony andbeing kind and loyal to me. Amy was someone who has played a massive part on meturning my life around. She is someone who I value as one of my best and mostloyal mates. 

And finally, to Anthony. Thanks for all the laughs, thanksfor being my best mate and thanks for never seeing me as an addict. I was justalways your mate Murray. 

Little did I know that when I walked over to Anthony in 1991I was saying hello to someone who would in later years keep me alive. Thankspal x 

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