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Robert Needham
Jonathan Wilson29 Jan 2015 - 19:27
Robert Needham
As a lot of people are now aware the club and the Community lost someone very precious to them, Robert Needham sadly passed away on Sunday evening, I write on behalf of the club and also as a Family member when I say that we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and total respect for him and also support shown to the Family, it has touched everyone just like Rob touched everyone’s lives he came into contact with and has shown what we all knew that he was Incredibly well thought of and the Community has lost one of its very best.
Robert to the club was Mr Harworth Colliery, starting as a player in his Teens straight into the first team in the then very strong Yorkshire League where a lot of Ex Pro’s would play in the 70’s, he grew into the Captaincy role as a natural Leader and when the club was in its most successful period in the mid to late 80’s he was still the stand out player, the Player of the Year board will show you that as his name is littered through it.
Although Robert also had brief spells with Frickley, Retford Town, Bentley Victoria and Worksop he always came back to his roots and could and should have played at a lot higher level but the Club meant so much to him and Vice Versa, his Testimonial spoke volumes in 1999 when the club was able to contact Doncaster Rovers a team who he had made brief appearances for, they came at the drop of an hat along with the then Premiership referee Uriah Rennie, unfortunately we don’t have the records but he has to be up there for all time appearances for the club and is without the doubt the most successful and arguably best player the club has ever had, people speak of never seeing him have an off day or very rarely being booked and for a tough tackling Centre half and at times Right back is some going.
When he hung his boots up for 1sts he would still play with the MUSC on a Sunday and the Reserves or Colts if ever needed, he then went onto manage a Junior side with his Son George playing, took them through the age groups and was able to pass on his extensive know how and experience and more than anything showed them how to behave on the Football field.
After finishing at the Bulbs where upon he spent most of his working career he worked at the Pavilion both as Grounds and Bar person, he would look after the pitches as well as the Cricket pitch as he was a keen cricketer in his youth in fact an all round Sportsman as he could pick a set of golf clubs up after not playing for years and wipe the floor with anyone.
Robert for a few years was also Chairman at the club, so he had literally done everything associated with the club, Player, Manager, Grounds man, Chairman and finally supporter, he always, always wanted to know how we was doing, and the club couldn’t have been prouder when we went Top of the table the weekend he passed away, he has seen the club go through all sorts of ups and downs and he would re-iterate to myself and Bren “Always Give, never Give in” even though he was having his own struggles he would impress on us to keep going and that will forever be in our thoughts.
So many lovely words have been said about Robert but the main one that stands out is Gentleman as whoever he came into contact with he left an impression on, he wasn’t just a great Footballer for the club who was hugely respected throughout the football circles he was also a great ambassador for our community and someone people aspired to be like.
His Funeral is at 11am on Thursday the 12th of February at All Saints Church Harworth and reception will be at the Pavilion afterwards, it has been asked for no Flowers and any donations to be made to All Saints Church.
Rest in Peace Rob, the club will never be the same again and we will ensure your legacy goes on and on.
Robert to the club was Mr Harworth Colliery, starting as a player in his Teens straight into the first team in the then very strong Yorkshire League where a lot of Ex Pro’s would play in the 70’s, he grew into the Captaincy role as a natural Leader and when the club was in its most successful period in the mid to late 80’s he was still the stand out player, the Player of the Year board will show you that as his name is littered through it.
Although Robert also had brief spells with Frickley, Retford Town, Bentley Victoria and Worksop he always came back to his roots and could and should have played at a lot higher level but the Club meant so much to him and Vice Versa, his Testimonial spoke volumes in 1999 when the club was able to contact Doncaster Rovers a team who he had made brief appearances for, they came at the drop of an hat along with the then Premiership referee Uriah Rennie, unfortunately we don’t have the records but he has to be up there for all time appearances for the club and is without the doubt the most successful and arguably best player the club has ever had, people speak of never seeing him have an off day or very rarely being booked and for a tough tackling Centre half and at times Right back is some going.
When he hung his boots up for 1sts he would still play with the MUSC on a Sunday and the Reserves or Colts if ever needed, he then went onto manage a Junior side with his Son George playing, took them through the age groups and was able to pass on his extensive know how and experience and more than anything showed them how to behave on the Football field.
After finishing at the Bulbs where upon he spent most of his working career he worked at the Pavilion both as Grounds and Bar person, he would look after the pitches as well as the Cricket pitch as he was a keen cricketer in his youth in fact an all round Sportsman as he could pick a set of golf clubs up after not playing for years and wipe the floor with anyone.
Robert for a few years was also Chairman at the club, so he had literally done everything associated with the club, Player, Manager, Grounds man, Chairman and finally supporter, he always, always wanted to know how we was doing, and the club couldn’t have been prouder when we went Top of the table the weekend he passed away, he has seen the club go through all sorts of ups and downs and he would re-iterate to myself and Bren “Always Give, never Give in” even though he was having his own struggles he would impress on us to keep going and that will forever be in our thoughts.
So many lovely words have been said about Robert but the main one that stands out is Gentleman as whoever he came into contact with he left an impression on, he wasn’t just a great Footballer for the club who was hugely respected throughout the football circles he was also a great ambassador for our community and someone people aspired to be like.
His Funeral is at 11am on Thursday the 12th of February at All Saints Church Harworth and reception will be at the Pavilion afterwards, it has been asked for no Flowers and any donations to be made to All Saints Church.
Rest in Peace Rob, the club will never be the same again and we will ensure your legacy goes on and on.
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