Big John laid to rest

The funeral of former Workington manager, John McNamee, took place on Tuesday with several of his former Newcastle United team mates in attendance at the service of thanksgiving in Cockermouth.

John, whose distinguished career included service with Celtic, Hibs, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Hartlepool United and Lancaster City, passed away last month at the age of 83.

Former Magpies skipper, Bobby Moncur, led a deputation of Newcastle United veterans in a touching service at St. Joseph’s Church.  There was also a group of senior Newcastle United supporters present, all wearing traditional black and white scarves.

John’s daughter, Elaine, delivered a beautifully read Eulogy which produced tears and laughter in equal measures.

Several members of the Cockermouth football fraternity turned out and Workington AFC were represented.

Jimmy Irving and Ray Ellison, team mates at Borough Park under Big John the manager, were re-acquainted for the first time in nearly fifty years.

John McNamee junior, a Reds player himself in the eighties, would have been proud of the send-off given to his late father in a congregation from all walks of life.