Frank Blackburn

So sad to hear of the passing of my friend Frank. I have many happy memories growing up with you as my friend. Though we hadn't see one another for many years the memories are still strong. Condolences to all your family . RIP Stuart Walker ( Australia )

Memories of Frank Blackburn 10 August, 2018

From my teenage years Frank had always seemed to be around in Leigh. He was at all the matches and his name became synonymous with the game of Rugby League as a fervent supporter of his home town club. He seemed to know everything that was going on at the club and in the town.
We began to see each other in the Eagle & Hawk pub in Chapel Street and that’s where his commitment, to the game that we shared so enthusiastically, became abundantly clear.
Twice a year, for a few seasons, the lads from the Eagle & Hawk, as an occasional team, made up of players from all backgrounds, organised a home and away friendly with my club, McEntee ARLFC, based in Walthamstow, East London, in the developing Southern Amateur Rugby League.
At the start, McEntee was one of only four clubs in the whole South of England along with Peckham, Ealing and Oxford University to field teams.
It is, thanks to devotees of the likes of Frank, that the game began to take more than a toe-hold and and has grown into the well-organised development area that it is today.
So what was so special that Frank did to assist in this process? Well, for a start, he nonchalantly and unconditionally offered his home to the entire visiting playing squad with a reciprocal offer being made for when the Leigh lads were in London for Wembley weekend.
As long as Rugby League is talked about in Leigh, he will be remembered as the man who gave up his house to a team from the South. I have never known that done by anyone, before or since.
Whenever, someone is judged on the support that they have given to the game, their dedication, commitment and humanity should be measured against Frank’s.
May you rest in peace, Frank. Dave Part