Remembering Harold Cook

Exeter Rugby Club officials formed part of a huge congregation at St Peter's Chapel at Exeter Crematorium that gathered to pay tribute to the life of Harold Cook.

The popular Lancastrian, who for years has been one of the leading match-day stewards at both the old County Ground and Sandy Park, recently passed away at the age of 79 after losing his battle against lung cancer.

Leaving wife Val and son Martin, Harold will forever be remembered for his love of not only rugby union and the Chiefs themselves, but also golf where he was a fierce competitor at clubs including Churston, Fingle Glen and Honiton.

A warm and welcoming figure always for supporters on match-days, Harold's role within Exeter Rugby Club not only saw him take on the title of Safety Officer at the County Ground, but on the switch to Sandy Park in 2006 he was then a stalwart senior steward working under the guidance of current Safety Officer Stuart Kennedy.

Stuart said: "Personally, I have known Harold for 13 years which was initially at the County Ground  days where he was Safety Officer and then onto Sandy Park, so what a guy to follow on from. From a stewards point of view he was a great friend, mentor and example to all. A great character and colleague who will be sadly missed by spectators and stewards."

Himself a keen rugby player back in the day, Harold would often recall the tale of how he taught former England and British & Irish Lions prop Fran Cotton "everything he knew" from his days at Newton-le-Willows, whilst he was a former player at Paignton Rugby Club following his move down to the Westcountry.

Paying tribute to Harold, Keiron Northcott, Deputy Chief Executive of Exeter Rugby Club, said: "Harold was a very big asset to the club over many years and was a pleasure to work with when he was carrying out his role as safety officer. He was very diligent, hard working and always had a great sense of humour and nothing was too much trouble. All in all a really nice guy.

"Everyone associated with Exeter Rugby Club would like to express their sincere sympathies to Val, Martin and the remainder of Harold's family and friends at what is a very sad loss."