Premier Comb’n ‘We have lost a natural leader, friend and all-round legend in Kev’
GREYFRIARS Athletic manager Benni McCarthy led the tributes to the club’s “much-loved” secretary Kevin Wilkinson following his death at the age of only 48 last week due to a Covid-related illness.
The first-team boss described their devoted administrator, who also served as match secretary for the Bristol Premier Combination, as “a great bloke who looked out for everyone”.
McCarthy didn’t stop there, reflecting with a smile: “Kevin was a very good prankster; often we didn’t know if he was serious or not! He was direct and enforced high standards, while making everyone feel welcome and included.
“He stuck with the club through thick and thin and we always fulfilled fixtures, as Kev made sure all our managers knew we had to work together and look after our respective teams.
“While a manager, every player in the club wanted to play for the big man, and they would play in the position they were best at. He built so many players’ careers, too.
“As a player Kev was classed as an enforcer, even in training. One poor lad found that to his cost, out for two months with broken ribs after he ran into the big man.”
The New Road supremo continued: “Kev loved a social, which meant our Christmas party was always eventful. This is where he set the club’s ‘five halves’ record 25 seconds - which still stands to this day. A lot have tried and failed!
“While working with him in my capacity as chairman and firstteam manager, Kev made everything easy for me. He told me to go for it, be ruthless; and he would look after the rest of the club as he wanted to see the first team get higher.
“His vision was to put our unique club on the map; everyone is welcome, regardless of ability. Kev always joked that when we won the lottery, we would get floodlights and a 4G artificial field. When our groundsman heard that, it had him almost bursting into tears, as it’s
taken five years to get the ground looking amazing!”
McCarthy added: “I’ve been very lucky to have worked alongside Kev and learn so much about keeping the club moving forward. I just hope, as first-team manager, we can do him proud for the rest of the season and years to come.
“I was a young manager when I first took over our first team and it was very tough at the start. Kev always talked me through what to do and was prepared to put a few players in their places to help me while we rebuilt the first team.
“He gave a lot of advice on how to manage the players, because I can get a bit frustrated. We are, at the moment, getting it right; but there’s a long way to go.
“We have lost a natural leader, friend and all-round legend, who made sure Greyfriars Athletic was always open to everyone and no one was left behind. I would like to thank everyone for their wishes and fantastic responses about Kev. As a club, it showed how amazing he was in making such a difference to so many people.”
McCarthy’s words were echoed by Greyfriars’ former manager Paul Bold, who said: “Kev gave so much to Greys. Everyone knew him and he often tried to sign them on for the fourths! Loved by his family and friends and respected by the wider football community, Kev was a great man who will be sorely missed by us all.”
Treasurer Steve Jackson said: “Kev will be missed immensely. We had some great times together at Greys throughout the years; while Steve Lewis, chairman of Bohemians Cricket Club, who share the Mile Straight facility with the football section, remarked: “So many people at the club owe Kev a huge amount of gratitude for everything he did. He was a massive character who had time for everyone.”
Club president Danny White; players Paul Loftus, Ben Hewitt and club captain Phil Mills, along with first-team assistant manager Pat O’Donnell, all spoke of their “heartbreak and devastation” at the loss of a “true gent and Greyfriars legend.”
Seymour United reached the second round of the Combination League Cup after the Coronation Park outfit saw off visiting Wick Reserves 2-0 via Tom Morgan and Tyrone Fudgell goals.
Winterbourne United breezed into round two courtesy of a 9-0 Rec mauling of Mendip Broadwalk Reserves. Charlie Davis led the assault with a hat-trick.
Joe DeFreitas scored for Hambrook in a 3-1 defeat at home to Nicholas Wanderers, while Longwell Green Sports Reserves were 2-1 home victors against De Veys.
Luke Haddow’s equaliser for Iron Acton at home to DRG SV Frenchay proved invaluable, as his team went on to win through 5-4 on penalties.