Tributes paid following death of Pool football referee (From Wharfedale Observer)
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Tributes paid following death of Pool football referee
9:17am Thursday 27th September 2012 in Local news
Tributes have been paid to a “real supporter of village life” in Pool-in-Wharfedale.
Former parish council chairman Chris Leggatt died after collapsing while refereeing a football match in the village on Sunday.
Mr Leggatt, who was in his mid-60s, was an active supporter of all of Pool’s sports clubs and chairman of Pool Tennis Club, where he was involved in training the junior players.
Secretary of Pool AFC, Peter Wilkinson, said: “We lost a great servant to our club with the death of Chris. He was, typically, refereeing an under-18 match when he became ill.
“He first became involved at Pool AFC when he won the fell race at our first village gala in the early 1980s and offered to organise the race for us in future. This he did for several years, elevating it to become a part of the Yorkshire championship, with the late Sir Jimmy Savile running in it one year.
“He then looked after our junior section for many years before taking up refereeing, initially filling in when referees were needed, then joining the Harrogate and District league list to officiate on a more regular basis, as well as the usual last-minute favours.
“He served on the sports and social club committee up to his death and was chairman for a period. As with all his involvements, he was very much hands-on.
“Chris will be missed by us all and our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
John Clemie, who worked alongside Mr Leggatt at Pool Tennis Club and had employed him, until his retirement two years ago, as warehouse manager at his Premier Rolls business, said: “There are very few people who are willing to get involved in village life, the community and the youngsters, but Chris was hands-on and terribly enthusiastic.
“He was a doer, and will be very sorely missed.”
Mr Leggatt’s funeral service will be held at Rawdon Crematorium at 11.40am on Friday, October 12.
