Ron to pay his dad final tribute

May 17 2007 by Luke Traynor, Liverpool Echo

A 78-YEAR-OLD Liverpool fan will be shedding a tear in Athens next week regardless of the result.

Lifelong Red Ronald Brumby is one of thousands flying to the Greek capital for Wednesday’s Champions League final.

But along with the match, he will visit the final resting place of his father, Albert, who died near Athens during World War II.

Albert Brumby was 37 when the medical ship he was on board was dive-bombed while docked in the port of Piraeus.

Up to 200 people were killed in the blast and are buried in a cemetery in Athens in a mass grave as “unknown soldiers”.

Albert was buried together with his comrades as horrific blast injuries left many of them unidentifiable.

Ronald, from Ellesemere Port, has never travelled abroad in his life, but when Liverpool made it to the final he decided it was his last chance to say goodbye to his father.

Along with four of his sons, he will leave Merseyside on Saturday, and two days later, stand in front of his father’s grave.

Albert was a staff sergeant major during the war and had been placed on a hospital ship after injuring his leg when the vessel came under fire.

Ron’s son Steve, 51, said: “It’s going to be a very emotional occasion and I’m sure there’ll be tears.

“With Liverpool getting to the final in Athens, my dad thought he had to go.

“He went to Wembley for the European Final in 1978, but this is the first passport he’s ever had and he’s really excited.

“Nobody in the group has got a ticket, but we’re determined to get my dad in with one of us.”

Ron’s four sons will make the trip – Steve, Carl and Neil, along with Graham, who works for the Dubai Liverpool Supporters Club and lives in the Far East.

Steve said: “We lost our mum two years ago, so it’s a big chance to stand in front of Albert’s tombstone and say goodbye to another member of our family.”

6 DAYS TO ATHENS

€8 Train fare from airport to Athens

31C Temp to Athens

€1.5 Cost of a bag of chips

Useful Greek phrase: How can I get to...?   Poz boro na pao se...?