Farewell to Widnes stalwart Tom Smith (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Farewell to Widnes stalwart Tom Smith

4:31pm Thursday 7th January 2010 in

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THE funeral of former Widnes chairman and RFL President Tom Smith will take place on Friday, January 8.

Requiem Mass will be held at St Bede’s Church, Leigh Avenue, Widnes at 1.30pm followed by a service at Widnes Crematorium.

The club stalwart, who had a distinguished career in rugby league, passed away on December 29 at the age of 81.

Tom signed for Widnes in 1950, making his first team debut in the 1951/52 season, playing 238 games for his hometown team before retiring in 1963 having scored 13 tries in a career where he established himself as a hard working prop forward.

In 1967 Tom was elected to serve as secretary on the club committee and was Chairman at Wembley in 1984, the last time Widnes lifted the Rugby League Challenge Cup.

Tom was also the Widnes representative on the RFL Council and in 1998 was elected as President of the RFL and in 1999 became a life member of the RFL.

Away from rugby Tom made a career in local government, initially with Widnes BC and latterly with Knowsley BC from where he retired in 1991.

The RFL sent condolences to the family.

RFL Chief Executive, Nigel Wood said: “I would like to pass on our condolences to the family of Tom Smith at this sad time.

“He was a loyal servant of the Widnes club and to Rugby League in general through his time at the RFL as a Director, President and Life Member and his death will be met with great sadness across the sport.”

Family flowers only with donations, c/o Moar and Butler Funeral Directors, to be shared between the RNLI and St Bede’s Lourdes Fund.