dummy scissors Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Derek Clarke the Swinton hooker in the 1960s has died aged 73. There is an excellent tribute piece on the Leigh website. Lots of great memories of his playing days with the Lions. RIP Derek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marshy1 Posted February 10, 2015 Share Posted February 10, 2015 Just for the record the club only received an e-mail informing us about this during the trust meeting this evening. I'm sure the club will pay respect to Derek in a fitting way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 'Clarkey' was one of the 'rocks' of the great sides of the '60s and will be well remembered by all of those saw him turn out wearing the number 9 jersey for the Lions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Green Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Derek Clarke was the epitome of the 'old school' hooker and hard as granite. Affectionately known as 'Batman' by us Barn-enders and the only Swinton player who has ever attempted to push me through a moving train window!!! Rest In Peace, Clarkey x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 Derek Clarke was the epitome of the 'old school' hooker and hard as granite. Fearless, that was Clarkey. A real 'rum' character. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsfanusa Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Fearless, that was Clarkey. A real 'rum' character. What I remember most about Clarkey was the way he often tacked bigger forwards coming at him. It seemed like he would drop in front of them and then tackle them around the legs, always bringing them down while avoiding a direct shot to himself. RIP Clarkey. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 What I remember most about Clarkey was the way he often tacked bigger forwards coming at him. It seemed like he would drop in front of them and then tackle them around the legs, always bringing them down while avoiding a direct shot to himself. RIP Clarkey. Really? I never noticed he did that. Sounds like a great technique. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pricey53 Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Tough as a rock was Derek not sure about the nickname Batman, he was always called Flintstone to me and my fellow supporters . Great 100 per cent player RIP Clarkie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spelly Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Tough as a rock was Derek not sure about the nickname Batman, he was always called Flintstone to me and my fellow supporters . Great 100 per cent player RIP Clarkie. Batman was his nickname - Don't know where it came from though - RIP. Spelly. "--- and then on the eighth day, God created Rugby League."Daily, my intense dislike of the Pinks, Rugby Yawnion, Manchester United, and far-right politics, grows ever larger, and will continue to do so forever more!Question! What's the connection between Rugby League and Rugby Yawnion? Answer! There isn't one!My girl-friend asked "If you had to choose between me and Swinton who would it be?" I replied "You know the answer to that one without even asking!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsfanusa Posted February 13, 2015 Share Posted February 13, 2015 Really? I never noticed he did that. Sounds like a great technique. Maybe we have selective memories as we get older! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Green Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 What I remember most about Clarkey was the way he often tacked bigger forwards coming at him. It seemed like he would drop in front of them and then tackle them around the legs, always bringing them down while avoiding a direct shot to himself. RIP Clarkey. Quite right Geoff, virtually a 'body trip'! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Green Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 I used to work at the ground in the summer holidays, helping Norman and Bill. Clarkey gave me his battered and torn No.9 shirt. Wish I knew where it is now! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lionsfanusa Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 Quite right Geoff, virtually a 'body trip'! So most of my memory is still intact! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve wild Posted February 14, 2015 Share Posted February 14, 2015 There is now a tribute on our official website Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted February 15, 2015 Share Posted February 15, 2015 I wonder if and when we might get to know the funeral details so that anyone from the club or its fans can pay their respects to one of our gems from the iconic '60s heyday period? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartholemew Smythe Posted February 16, 2015 Share Posted February 16, 2015 Remember him at Leyth when I was a youngster, very robust to say the least and someone who you prefered to be on your side. RIP We`re on a road to Nowhere....................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
class of 63 Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 Sadly another one of our great players of the 60s passes away RIP Derek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve wild Posted February 17, 2015 Share Posted February 17, 2015 The family have informed us that Derek's funeral will take place at Wigan Crematorium on Monday 23 February at midday. The family request no flowers, but would appreciate donations to the Alzheimer's Society. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RIGGY Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Just had a phonecall from a member of Derek's family and they wish to thank the club for their support and excellent obitury on the club website. Funeral details as per Steves last message Riggy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Monkey Posted February 19, 2015 Share Posted February 19, 2015 Found Derek's announcement online in Wigan Today (19 February). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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