The RIP Sporting Heroes Thread

[Happy As Larry]

Former Wales and Swansea lock Wheel dies aged 73

Former Wales, Swansea and Barbarians lock Geoff Wheel has died at the age of 73.

Swansea RFC have confirmed the news stating Wheel had suffered from motor neurone disease for some years.

Wheel played 32 internationals for Wales between 1974 and 1982 and formed a formidable second-row partnership with Allan Martin.
Nicknamed 'Gaffa', Wheel was an unsung hero of Wales' successful sides of the 1970s and was famous for his white headband.
Between January 1975 and March 1978, Wheel went 15 games unbeaten in a Wales jersey.

Fourteen of Wheel's wins came in Five Nations matches, the other being a 28-3 triumph over Australia in 1975.
During the span of his record, Wales won three Five Nations titles, including two Grand Slams and a hat-trick of Triple Crowns.

In 1977, Wheel and Ireland lock Willie Duggan became the first players to be sent off in a Five Nations game when they were ordered off in Cardiff for fighting.
Wheel also became officially the first Welshman to be sent off in an international.

A misdiagnosed heart problem robbed Wheel of a place on the British and Irish Lions tour of New Zealand in 1977.

Wheel played 323 times for Swansea between 1970 and 1983.

He was part of the team that won the Schweppes Cup in 1978 and played for Swansea against Australia in 1975 and captained the 'All Whites' against New Zealand in 1981.
His seasons as captain of Swansea marked a successful period for the club.

In 1979-80 they won the Western Mail Championship, Sunday Telegraph Anglo-Welsh Championship, Daily Mail Anglo-Welsh Championship, Sunday Telegraph Team of the Season and were WRU National Sevens winners.
In the following season, Swansea retained the Sunday Telegraph title and were also winners of the Whitbread Merit Table.

"Geoff was respected and much loved by all at Swansea Rugby Club," said president Stan Addicott.
"I had the privilege to be his club coach for seven years.
"His wholehearted, fiery, yet engaging and humorous nature endeared him to his players, while he often shared his musical talent on the accordion and ukulele post matches with club supporters.
"He was certainly one of the great characters of his time in Welsh rugby and will be greatly missed as a family man, player and friend to many people."

Geoff Wheel: Former Wales and Swansea lock dies aged 73 - BBC Sport

[harrybarracuda]

Footballing legend Denis Law, famed throughout the game for hilariously relegating Manchester United, dies at 84.



Denis Law dead aged 84 as Man Utd legend dies after dementia battle - Mirror Online

[beachbound]

“Mr. Baseball”, Bob Uecker Dies at 90.

MILWAUKEE -- Bob Uecker, the voice of his hometown Milwaukee Brewers who, after a short playing career, earned the moniker "Mr. Baseball" and honors from the Hall of Fame, has died. He was 90.
The team announced Uecker died Thursday morning, calling it "one of the most difficult days in Milwaukee Brewers history." In a statement released by the club, Uecker's family said he had "faced a private battle with small cell lung cancer" since early 2023.
"Even in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always present, never allowing his spirit to falter," the family said.

Beloved Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker, 'Mr. Baseball,' dies at 90 - ESPN

[Neverna]

Denis law has died aged 84

Denis Law: Manchester United and Scotland legend dies aged 84 - BBC Sport


Former Scotland, Manchester United and Manchester City striker Denis Law - the only Scottish player to have won the Ballon d'Or - has died at the age of 84.

The man dubbed 'The King' and 'The Lawman' spent 11 years at Old Trafford, his 237 goals in 404 appearances placing him third in United's history behind Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton.

Born in Aberdeen, Law began his career with Huddersfield Town, also had a spell in Italy with Torino and was capped 55 times for his country - his 30 goals making him Scotland's joint top scorer of all time.

He was sold for a British record fee three times during his career.

In 2021, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia.

A family statement said: "It is with a heavy heart that we tell you our father Denis Law has sadly passed away. He fought a tough battle but finally he is now at peace.

[harrybarracuda]

The Australian tennis player Fred Stolle, who has died aged 86, won the French Championship in 1965 and the US Championship in 1966, along with a hatful of doubles titles around the world. But he could never quite get over the line at Wimbledon, where he lost in three consecutive finals between 1963 and 1965.

Fred Stolle obituary | Tennis | The Guardian

[harrybarracuda]

US boxing legend George Foreman dies age 76

US heavyweight boxing legend George Foreman has died age 76, according to a statement on his Instagram account.
The two-time champion famously fought Muhammad Ali in one of boxing's most legendary fights, the 'Rumble in the Jungle'.

He also became known to millions around the world through his popular range of electric grills.
A statement on his Instagram account said he died peacefully on 21 March "surrounded by loved ones".

US boxing legend George Foreman dies age 76 | US News | Sky News

[Happy As Larry]

Barry Hoban, British Cycling Legend and Tour de France Icon has died aged 85
Barry Hoban, the British cycling Icon and eight-time Tour de France stage winner has died aged 85. Hoban was a pioneer of cycling in the UK in the 1960s and 70s and blazed a trail for cyclists such as Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas.
Born in 1940 in Wakefield, Yorkshire, Hoban cut his teeth for local cycling club Calder Clarion as a sprinter before realising he had a particular aptitude for climbing. He turned professional in the 1960s and spent 19 years on the circuit.
Hoban remains the only British male rider to win Belgian’s renowned Gent-Wevelgem when he triumphed on the course’s infamous cobbles and climbs in 1974. Britain’s Lizzie Deignan later won the inaugural women’s version in 2012.
Until Mark Cavendish eventually surpassed him in 2009, Hoban held the record for the most Tours de France completed by a British rider. He finished 11 of the 12 Tours he competed in, another British cycling record that Hoban held until recently with Geraint Thomas finishing his 12th tour last year. The Welshman might have more in the saddle but the Yorkshireman can lay claim to being the first British rider to win a Tour de France mountain stage and the first to win two Tour stages consecutively.
Hoban was great friends with Tom Simpson and his first Tour stage win in 1967 was a tribute to Britain’s first world champion cyclist who died after collapsing on Mont Ventoux. In emotional scenes, Hoban was allowed to complete the stage as a solo rider in tribute the day after Simpson’s death.
Hoban spent the majority of his seasons racing for Mercier-BP-Hutchinson, with teammates including fellow cycling greats Cyrille Guimard and Raymond Poulidor. He is survived by his wife Helen, daughter Daniella and step-daughters Jane and Joanne Simpson.

Barry Hoban, British cycling legend and Tour de France icon, dies aged 85 | Cycling | The Guardian

[klong toey]

Not a good start to the season.
RIP .
Two motorbike racers killed in 11-bike crash during British Supersport race at Oulton Park | UK News | Sky News

[harrybarracuda]

And Jochen Mass, reliable F1 driver and winner of one tainted GP and Le Mans.

Jochen Mass obituary | Motor sport | The Guardian

[klong toey]

I've been watching Daves vlogs for a long time must have been difficult for him to edit and post.
But a really nice tribute.

[harrybarracuda]

Those 'burns. That's the abiding memory of that Wolves side innit

Former Wolves goalkeeper Gary Pierce, who helped the club to its first League Cup victory, has died, the club has confirmed.

The footballer was best known for stepping in to replace Phil Parkes during the 1974 League Cup final, where Wolves beat Manchester City 2-1.

Pierce joined the club in 1973 and made 111 appearances for Wolverhampton side.

A spokesperson said a minute's applause will be held in Pierce's memory prior to the Wolves match against Brentford on Sunday.

[Happy As Larry]

First black Premier League referee Rennie dies aged 65

Uriah Rennie, the Premier League's first black referee, has died aged 65.

Rennie officiated more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 Premier League matches.

"We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former chair and trailblazing referee, Uriah Rennie," said a Sheffield & Hallamshire County Football Association statement., external
"Uriah made history as the Premier League's first Black referee, officiating over 300 top-flight matches between 1997 and 2008. He broke down barriers, shaped our football community and inspired generations to come."

Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare condition left him paralysed from the waist down.

Born in Jamaica, he moved to Sheffield as a child and grew up in the Wybourn area of the city.
He started refereeing in local football in 1979 before making history in 1997 when he oversaw the top-flight match between Derby County and Wimbledon.

"Incredibly sad news about the passing of Uriah Rennie. A Black pioneering referee and leader in the game," said Leon Mann, co-founder of the Football Black List.
"We owe so much to those who push open the doors. Uriah should never, ever be forgotten.
"Thoughts and prayers with Uriah's family and close friends."

Rennie had been a magistrate in Sheffield since 1996 and campaigned on issues including improving equality and inclusion in sport, mental health and tackling deprivation.
He had a master's degree in business administration and law and, in November 2023, was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities.

In May, Rennie was installed as the new chancellor of the university.

[harrybarracuda]

That's a shame. He was always a good ref, rarely did games revolve around him unlike like the current mob of attention seekers.

[Edmond]

A good lad and good ref, for sure. The sort of lad that made the world a slightly better place. RIP laddie.