Widnes legend GEORGE KEMEL has passed away in Australia today.widnes hooker in the 1964 challenge cup win v hull kr .... R.I.P condolences to his family in Australia.
Yeah read that earlier on the Widnes FB group.
RIP George.
Good servant of the club. RIP George.
Condolences to his family.
A real Widnes legend and what a great player he was. He would have fitted well in to the modern game as a hooker, but he also played in the era when scrums were competitive and winning the ball from the scrum was a key skill in the game. George also had a good passing and tackling game. Was it the "cumberland roll" that he was known for?
Great memories of watching George Kemel regularly at Naughton Park in the late 50's ad 60's.
Yes RIP George, there can't be too many of the 1964 Wembley team still around. It was a tough place to be, hooker, in that era. One memory of George is the enormous shin pads he wore, as other hookers might have also worn, but I just remember them on George! A real grafter!
Remember him playing with cracked ribs, strapped up! Against Wakey iirc. Wilkinson. their prop kicked George in the ribs. Edgar Bate and Tom Smith got hold of Wilky and just shook him like a terrier with a rat! He didn't want the ball after!!!
Tough guys!
If my memory is not playing tricks on me, I seem to remember that GK started out playing at Loose Forward (No 13) and only moved to Hooker when Jackie Heyes retired. am I correct?
R.I.P. George
An excellent hooker was George. I remember him well. I also recall going to a Test Match GB v New Zealand, 1 of the 2 international caps that he won
RIP George.
If my memory is not playing tricks on me, I seem to remember that GK started out playing at Loose Forward (No 13) and only moved to Hooker when Jackie Heyes retired. am I correct? R.I.P. George
I think you are right Ceejay, I think he did start out as a loose forward. Tough as teak and played in the days when hookers needed particular skills. George had them in spades.
RIP George
Very sad to hear of the passing of George. My Dad played alongside him for many seasons and spoke very highly of him both as a player and a man.
Just looking at the team photo on the official site alongside George I recognise George Nichols, Mal Aspey, Ray Dutton, Dennis O’Neill, Ray French, Ged Lowe and I think Jim Fitzpatrick Maybe Alan Walsh is there as well I’m not sure Anyone able to put names to the rest?
I only recognise those who were playing when i started watching, im assuming its Dennis Brown on the front left
Might seem petty but its pretty shoddy IMO that the club do not even identify the man they are paying tribute too, for the majority of people thats just an old photo of a Widnes team and not many will know which one is George
Alan Briers and Johnny Gaydon.
Jimmy Boylan
Jim Measures