Waterhead old boys turn out for Kevin

Kevin died late last month in the Royal Oldham Hospital, aged 75

It was like a Waterhead 'Who's Who ?' - both past and present - at the funeral on Friday (September 16) of former club chairman Kevin Hobson.

Kevin. who died late last month in the Royal Oldham Hospital, aged 75, was chairman at the Waterhead club for nearly 30 years, from about 1980 onwards.

He succeeded the late Jimmy Green, who also had a successful spell in the chair, and in many ways laid down the roots for the up-and-coming club it is today, especially for the lead role he played in starting up and encouraging what is today a hugely thriving youth section.

Barrie McDermott, the former Oldham, Wigan and Leeds Rhinos star, now a well-established and well-known Sky Sports rugby league commentator and pundit, who was a product of that junior section, was at the funeral service at St Thomas's Church in Moorside with his parents and his uncle Jim.

Representing Roughyeds were club ambassador and former prop Adrian Alexander and his wife Ginny, an ex-Mayor of Oldham and Roger Halstead, former Oldham Chronicle rugby league man for more than 40 years and now the Oldham club's media manager.

There on behalf of the Oldham Amateur League were long-serving Anita Halliwell (chair) and Phil Bradbury (secretary).

Waterhead officials, players and fans past and present heard a moving tribute to Kevin from current chairman, head coach and former club captain Jon Perks, who was a 14-year-old club new boy when he first came into contact with Kevin.

Said John: "He was a legend we'll never forget."

In a very special funeral service that directly involved his immediate family, there was a recording of Kevin singing solo.

Son Kevin did the Eulogy and daughters Kate and Claire followed up with their own personal and moving memories of their Dad, who had - it was said - two loves in his life, first his wife and family and then Waterhead ARLFC.

He was also survived by his wife of 50 years, Sue; a third daughter, Suzanne; and ten grand-children.

The service was conducted by the vicar of St Thomas's, the Rev Denise Owen.

After returning from Oldham Crematorium, Sue and her family headed a celebration of Kevin's life with hundreds of players and club officials, past and present, in the smart and fully refurbished Waterhead clubhouse.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.