The end....for Panther Simon

Simon Letchford’s injury is a desperately sad way to end his Marathon dream.

Simon Letchford has fallen victim to the silent assassin of runners, a torn Knee muscle, the injury that occurs even when no opponent is close by, the incapacitation that brings curtains down on careers.

Even for those who felt his usefulness to the Panthers team had long gone, this is a desperately sad development.

Medicine has advanced, of course, and Letchford is a tough cookie, but sadly even that is not enough to save him from being taken out back and shot….. That’s what they do to animals that can no longer perform you know…

Here is how it went down that fateful evening... The Panthers pen Simon in a makeshift cage. A grieving Dan is forced to shoot Simon and, in doing so, takes his first step towards adulthood.  Heartbroken from the death of his beloved dog, Dan refuses the offer of a new puppy sired by Simon. Lee comes home with a bagful of money and presents for the Panther family. Having learned about Simon's fate from Dan, he explains the facts about life and death.  So Sad……..sniff sniff

So the last image we are likely to remember of Simon Letchford’s running career are of him wearing a fez and hobbling around Brighton with a poorly knee. Ahh bless him!!

Every bursted bubble has a glory!
Each abysmal failure makes a point!
Every glowing path that goes astray,
Shows you how to find a better way.
So every time you stumble never grumble.
Next time you'll bumble even less!
For up from the ashes, up from the ashes, grow the roses of success!
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses!
Grow the roses of success!
Oh yes!

R.I.P Panther Simon