Southport RFC is shocked to hear of the sudden death on Christmas Day of good friend to the club Larry Hannah.

He was well known in local sporting circles being a longstanding member of Hillside Golf Club and Southport & Birkdale Sports Club and although not a “rugby person” he was a sponsor and regular visitor to Waterloo Road over the years. Indeed he was captured by Angus Matheson on the touchline with daughter Angie Jessop and son-in-law Steve enjoying the last First XV home game in 2016 during the 29-27 victory on December 10th against Manchester Medics (by the barrier on the right side of the image above).

Larry was a local non-league footballer of repute in his time and also played guitar (without repute according to his family!) in a band during the Merseybeat era, and a successful Liverpool-based businessman. He understood the virtues of hard work and dedication and the ethos of team work and respect, which he very much saw and appreciated on and off the pitch at Waterloo Road.

He was always happy to support the club and was a willing personal sponsor and through his company EPI Ashdale on occasion, no more so than the derby game against Ormskirk 4 seasons ago in aid of Queenscourt Hospice, a cause very close to his heart, and the ’24-hour game’.

Above all his genial company on the touchline will be sorely missed. Always ready with a tale or two to tell, generous in spirit and enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the game he was immensely impressed with the progress the club has made in recent years and especially the young local talent coming through the ranks.

Although the funeral arrangements have yet to be finalised it is likely that a service will be held at Our Ladies of Lourdes within eyesight of the club where he will be fondly remembered by the many lucky enough to have known him.

In the meantime we send our heartfelt condolences to his devastated family and friends. Rest in peace Larry.

by Graham Ellis

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