Dedicated club man Ken Lockerbie passes away
Ken was last month inducted into the Newcastle Rugby Hall of Fame for his vast contribution to the club, which spanned more than 50 years and took in a variety of roles.
Newcastle Falcons managing director Mick Hogan said: “Ken devoted his life to the club and to the sport of rugby, so that others could enjoy this great game.
“He was a much-loved figure who contributed an incredible amount to the club in both the Gosforth and Newcastle Falcons eras.
“Without Ken’s contribution it is no exaggeration to say we would not be where we are today, and it was our absolute honour to induct him into the Newcastle Rugby Hall of Fame during our recent 140th anniversary dinner.
“Ken’s incredible dedication and good humour were enormously appreciated by everybody involved with the club, and his legacy will live on as we continue to award the Ken Lockerbie Trophy to an outstanding player at the end of each season.
“We were honoured to have Ken’s son presenting this prize to Vereniki Goneva earlier this month, and it will remain a high point of our annual awards in recognition of the love and gratitude we have for him.”
A player with the club during the 1950s and 60s who went on to become an RFU panel referee, it was as an administrator that he became best known.
Serving in roles including president and honorary secretary, Ken was an active member of the Northumberland Referees’ Society, serving as the disciplinary secretary of the Northumberland Rugby Union for almost two decades.
Although he was forced to slow down following a serious road traffic accident in 1984 he continued to serve the club, including an instrumental role in the momentous move from the Great North Road to Kingston Park in 1990.
Having stood down from his various roles he returned in 1995 to address a minor crisis as chairman of the board of management. He was in post when the game went professional that year and represented the club’s interests in the complex negotiations which led to the creation of Newcastle Rugby Limited and the Newcastle Gosforth Shareholders’ Association.
Ken holds the triple honour of having been made an honorary life member by Gosforth FC, Northumberland Rugby Union and the Northumberland Referees’ Society, and will be missed by everyone connected with Newcastle Falcons. Our heartfelt condolences go to Ken’s friends and family at this difficult time.
