I originally wrote a post on Harj on the main article by JLA but found it didn't go through because he had blocked me from commenting on his posts, so here is my contribution to the tributes.
I met Harj a couple of times in the Regent pub in Chapel Allerton for a pint or two, that was aside from meet ups with 606 group at the Whistlestop and Drysalters pubs. Our conversations were usually about LUFC, football in general, racism, the "cockroach" lol...he also liked cricket and liked a bet on the horses, I supplied the tips, we won and lost, broke even in the end, just about.
He told me how uneasy, how uncomfortable he was being a fan of Leeds and visiting fans due to race issues, told me a few unsavoury details he had endured with racism. It was only when the 606 group started meeting that he felt accepted, he then felt comfortable, felt at home with like minded Leeds fans...he asked me to write an article on the bbc 606 forum on racism, which I was only too glad to do, not that it made much difference in the grand scheme of things, but I think he was pleased.
He was a great guy as can be seen reading all the tributes he's received, he was a caring, generous man....if I got into any sticky disagreements on 606 he sometimes emailed me, his favourite phrase was "sh-- happens" lol.
I remember when we had the 606 football team, he struck the mode of manager watching from the sidelines, he thought he was Don Revie, I was just about the oldest player, every time the ball went near him and I chased it, he would ask if I was ok, "you alright Jim?" Once or twice I coughed chasing the ball, he asked if I wanted any cough mixture? Cheeky so and so...
The many tributes to Harj are testimony to his popularity, I'm sure he will always be remembered as a great LUFC fan and a smashing bloke!
RIP mate
Remembering Harj
posted on 9/1/19
Ps to Batty....another lovely tribute to Harj!
posted on 9/1/19
NJS thanks for sharing this story, I shared it with his wife and also in interview on Radio Leeds today.
posted on 9/1/19
Great stuff Jonty!!
posted on 9/1/19
Great job Jonty & NJS. Hoping this all brings
at least a little comfort to his Wife and family.
posted on 9/1/19
Jonty how remiss of me, how do I contribute, but not PayPal?
posted on 9/1/19
comment by NJS (U8272)
posted 8 hours ago
That's very generous of you, Batty...and thanks again to everyone for their kind comments and 5 stars...I'm sure Harj will be having a good laugh at all he's tributes, lol
Nice to see you on 606 Pags...thanks!
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I don’t come on often. Leave it upto the worse half!
Nice to speak to you again after all these years.
posted on 9/1/19
Hiya Pags...I remember when you went to Fred's funeral years ago...that was very good of you, if I remember did you drape yourself in a Leeds flag or shirt? He was really nice old guy...
What a shame we didn't learn about Harj until months after, think quite a lot of us would have gone to his funeral, but there it is and that's how it is...
posted on 9/1/19
NJS, you can do a bank transfer if you like, drop me a mail at jonathons@hotmail.com I will send you details.
posted on 9/1/19
Will email you, thanks...
posted on 9/1/19
comment by NJS (U8272)
posted 12 minutes ago
Hiya Pags...I remember when you went to Fred's funeral years ago...that was very good of you, if I remember did you drape yourself in a Leeds flag or shirt? He was really nice old guy...
What a shame we didn't learn about Harj until months after, think quite a lot of us would have gone to his funeral, but there it is and that's how it is...
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I can’t believe you remembered that! I still speak with his daughter Debbie as she works in the same building. I took the flag that was worn on Promotion Day and wrote all the bbc606ers names on it to give to the family. They were such lovely kind people.
Oh if I had known I’d have been at the funeral. I’m going to miss him dearly.