By: Tom Riddell
In the early 80’s, I was a student working at the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party Convention. In 1985, I was staying with friends in Toronto for a week to help with setup and convention items.
One night I was told we were going to the Toronto Maple Leafs game. So I put on a hockey jersey and went down to the car, but I was told I had to change into a suit. When I asked why, I was told we were sitting in the Leafs boardroom seats. Turns out my friends grandfather was on the Maple Leafs Board of Directors. So I went and changed and we headed out to the hockey game.
When the first intermission came, we went down to the Leafs boardroom. I had a snack and was talking with my friend when Francis Michael Clancy entered the boardroom, better known as King Clancy. He stopped and greeted myself, and others. He asked where I was from and we got to talking about Ticats Football.
When the second intermission came, there was King waiting for me. We talked some more, then just before returning to my seat he told me I could leave my jacket in the boardroom. He assured me that no one would take it, so I left it there.
When the game ended I went to get my jacket and to my suprise, in the inside pocket were two tickets to the Eastern Final and a note that said:
It was a pleasure meeting a Ticats fan. Enjoy the Game.
-King
The Tiger-Cats won the game 50-26 over Montreal and went on to the Grey Cup, only to lose to the B.C. Lions.
A season later King passed on, but I will never forget our conversation or the great gift he gave me.
