Ken Holdsworth

He worked at the Hunslet Club, in Hillidge Road, Hunslet, Leeds, for over half a century, aiding the development of thousands of young people that the charity helps through sports and activities.

Affectionately known as ‘Mr H’, he began working at the club
as a volunteer before working
as its caretaker from the 1970s,
while being at the heart of
all of its activities, even volunteering there again
after his retirement.

Mr Holdsworth was the first person that the club’s current chief executive Dennis Robbins met at the club.

Mr Robbins, who was only
10 at the time, recalls: “He was just one of those people who always had a smile on his face and was willing to help and
work with young kids that aren’t always the easiest to work
with.

“He was just one of those rocks, he was always there every single session and he always made you feel welcome.”

He said that Mr Holdsworth never lived more than half a
mile from the club, volunteering there until two years ago and
then regularly visiting from the nearby Copper Hill Residential and Nursing Home up until his death.

Mr Holdsworth died earlier this month. He is survived by his son Keith, and his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Mr Robbins added: “Ken saw the club through the bad times, when we were struggling financially and everything else, and helped bring us through
that.

“The legacy now is that we are a thriving club and he saw us as we are today and he played a massive part in that.

“He was very popular, if someone said something bad about him you would be surprised, there was no bad about the bloke – he was a lovely, lovely man.”

Mr Holdsworth’s funeral service took place yesterday.