Smudge learned about 2MA whilst his local fire service was enjoying one of their regular extended rest periods when they allow Jack and his chums to play with Green Goddesses. Manning the picket line he sauntered over to a strategically placed mobile cop shop when his attention was drawn to the small Manchester Ship's crest discreetly displayed on the uniform of the very smartly dressed upholder of the law, none other than staunch 2MA member Dave Arthur! The rest, as they say is history!
Tom SMYTH
(Lesley)
Mick "George" SNAITH
Joined 30th December 2009 (213)
85 - 86
"George" Snaith joined Pusser UK Limited in 1984, and having immediately demonstrated his ability to speak a foreign language - he speaks geordie fluently - he was obviously a natural choice to be a sea going Communicator! Following a short stay at the Mercure - East Meon, the drafting gods chose to smile graciously on our young hero with a first sea draft to none other than the Mighty Manch!!.....and Global 86!
(lxcky fxcking bxstxrd! - Ed) George particularly recalls Vancouver and Sydney but not we understand, for any nautical or professional reasons!! Absolutely exhausted by the global experience, George grabbed a short shore draft before joining a sleek Rosyth based Type 42 - Edinburgh - and another antipodean adventure - Outback 88!! Now really absolutely exhausted from constant ship's visits, banyans and serial socialising - and declining the opportunity of a proper operational deployment in hot and sunny climes - he chose to keep warm instead by joining the Tyne and Wear Fire Service. George learned about the 2nd HMS Manchester Association through surfing the net and firefighting at Phoenix!!
Paul "Red" SNAPE
(Alison)
The call of the sea resonated loudly through the Midlands in 1985, and among those who answered said call was our own Paul "Red" Snape, and in a pensionable career, he played games in the gloom rooms of Naiad, Leeds Castle, Dumbarton Castle, Invicibubble, Birmingham, York……and the Mighty Manch!, not once but twice! (The Lucky Bxstard!).
When invited to name his favourite ship, "Red" was another who voted emphatically for Warship Wonderful, whilst Singapore gets his vote for best run ashore on account the Rugby socials were brills! (we are talking Eddie Overs all conquering rugby team!) - whilst the Tiger Brewery visits were not bad either!
On a more cultural note, Red also recalls touring Tuscany and Rome, drinking copious amounts of Chianti, feasting on wild boar, and enjoying visits to the Vatican, Coliseum and Trevi Fountain with a matelot he met whilst on a cushy shore draft to Naples ……the future Mrs Snape!
With his sea days now behind him, Red is a Voyage Management Planner when not pursuing his hobbies of coaching his son, Connor, at Gosport & Fareham Rugby Club, taking his dogs for a walk, and praying for a win for Birmingham City!
Along with his wife, Alison, Red is a staunch supporter of 2MA and he was one of the lucky trio who got to witness D95's final, final departure from Pompey in November 14.
Gary SOBOL
Joined 19th October 2012
Phil SOUTHCOTT
Joined 26 October 2008
84 - 87
Phil Southcott was an AB Radar for a dogwatch during the 1980's where he was fortunate to crack just one full sea draft and that was to the Mighty Manch. Lucky b@stard I hear you murmur, but it gets better than that, he was onboard for Global 86! Furthermore, Phil was actually the Navigator's Yeoman for the whole cruise and so justifiably claims to be the guy responsible for D95 completing her famous sojourn - with of course a little help from an unnamed two ringer! Recounting his memories of a holiday of a lifetime, Phil was smitten by Shanghai for the Culture and Sydney for the sex! (2MA apologises to any Australian grandmother who may be visiting this site!). However, it wasn't all plain sailing for our champion of the charts, for it was in Penang our hero nearly came to grief. Happily frolicking on a tropical beach with a young lady he met in Singers, they were making mad passionate conversation when, surprisingly, they both dozed off! Dawn broke in this tropical paradise, and Phil was woken by the gentle murmur of the waves. A casual glance at his timepiece told him something he really didn't want to know. The ship was sailing in 40 minutes! Luckily our hero was able to track down a taxi with a driver oblivious to any form of highway code and he made it back onboard with just seconds to spare - having promised the lady he would write - a promise we understand which has yet to be fulfilled! But that's understandable, the next stop was Darwin. Phil is now in the process of cracking a career with Hampshire Fire Brigade and he heard about 2MA from Pete Burnett.
Mike "Taff" SPEAR
Joined 2nd January 2011 (233)
Robert STEPHENS
Re-Joined 16th August 2021 (362)
Bobby STOKES
Joined 26th March 2012 (263)
Stevie SWAINE
Lance THOMAS
Joined 18th March 2020 (335)
Andy THOMPSON
(Paulette)
Andy was another scablifter and local apothecary during the infamous Global 86 deployment. Among his recollections are Procedure Alpha for Vancouver, escaping to Hong Kong after a good run ashore in Shanghai and meeting Miss "Dinosaur feet" at the PO's Mess Social in Freemantle to name but a few!! Andy left the mob in '93 and lives with his wife Paulette on the Island best viewed on the port side...the Isle of Wight!! Still keen on the sight of blood. Andy now works for the National Blood Service. He heard about the Association from a Dr Acula!!
Brett "Thomo" THOMPSON
Joined 19th February 2015 (308)
Mick THORNE
(Angela)
Ian TIDBURY
(Alyson)
John "Tommy" TUCKER
(Jacqueline)
