David Kirkwood

HULL FC and its fans paid final respects yesterday to David Kirkwood, one of the rugby league club's finest servants and supporters in its long and distinguished history.

The club's president and former chairman died last week aged 81 and his funeral took place at Haltemprice Crematorium, followed by a wake at the KC Stadium.

Mr Kirkwood was passionate about Hull FC and the sport of rugby league and many of his friends often used to say that if you chopped him in half he'd be like a stick of rock with black and white irregular hoops running through him.

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A successful farmer from Holderness in East Yorkshire, Mr Kirkwood became hooked on his beloved Hull FC before the Second World War.

He wanted to do more for the club than just watch and he became a key figure in the highly successful Vice-Presidents' Association which was instrumental to providing funds for coach Arthur Bunting to lead the club through its most successful era in its near 150-year

history during the late 1970s and 80s.

The association raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the club and this enabled Hull FC to bring some of the world's greatest stars, the likes of Peter Sterling, Steve "Knocker" Norton and the New Zealand quartet of Gary Kemble, Dane O'Hara, James Leuluai and Fred Ah Kuoi to the Boulevard.

He then joined the board and built up some crucial contacts with coaches, agents and managers in Australia, which he visited many times in pursuit of players for the Airlie Birds.

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Mr Kirkwood didn't just bring players and coaches to the club but he became their friend and the friendships lasted long after the players and coaches returned home.

Mr Kirkwood was an extremely popular man and, as Hull FC legend Johnny Whiteley said: "David was a true gentleman in every sense of the word and I have never heard anyone have a bad word to say about him.

"When David said something or agreed to something that was it. He loved rugby league but Hull FC was his passion and I have no doubts that he will be sorely missed by many people."

Mr Kirkwood helped transform the Boulevard from a bog into an excellent playing surface; he also gave players extra bonuses out of his own pocket and then in 1990 came a major highlight in his life when he was made chairman.

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That was a very proud moment, capped the following year when Hull beat star-studded Widnes in the final of the Premiership Trophy at Old Trafford.

When Hull captain Greg Mackey lifted the trophy, Mr Kirkwood raised his arms in delight and he admitted later than more than a few tears rolled down his face.

He once said: "It was a fantastic feeling, something I'll never forget. I was so proud, not just for me but the club and especially the Hull FC fans."

Mr Kirkwood resigned from the board the following year but the lure of Hull FC brought him back and he became chairman and a Rugby League Council member when former tennis star David Lloyd bought the club.

This era was one of the darkest in the club's history.

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When Mr Kirkwood was effectively asked to resign the club from the Rugby League he refused and played a major role in its survival.

Hull FC came within an hour of going under but behind the scenes Mr Kirkwood had played his part in saving it and helped broker a deal with Gateshead that brought about a merger of the clubs in 1999 which spearheaded its revival.

It is thanks to his efforts and determination that Hull FC is still going today and 11 years on from that almost disastrous day in 1999, which so nearly brought it down, it is now a successful club.

It has won the Challenge Cup and been runner-up in both the Cup and the Grand Final.

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In the KC Stadium, Hull FC has a ground second to none and a fan base which averages over 13,000 a game.

Mr Kirkwood played his part and Hull FC and their fans can thank him for that.

He will be remembered as a man whose word was his bond and his passion for the black and whites was immense.

He is survived by his wife, son and daughter and three grandchildren.

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