Tributes to ‘goal machine’ Harry
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former semi-professional footballer who played the game he loved until well into his 60s.
“Goal machine” striker Harry Breckell died at White Ash Brook care home in Oswaldtwistle aged 77, after a decade battling prostate cancer.
Harry had an illustrious local career, playing as a striker for Padiham United in his younger years, before moving to Whinney Hill FC.
A sports enthusiast, he also enjoyed a game of cricket, turning out for Hibernians in the 1970s.
After he retired he joined the ‘Straw mere’ team, which played in the Accrington and District Combination league and was made up of local explayers. He only stepped back from the pitch aged 65 after playing for more than 50 years.
His daughter Pamela Hollister, 52, said: “Dad always loved football and was a fantastic player. He was a goal machine, he was a gentleman generally but not on the pitch! A lot of people have said he was the best player they ever played against.
“He was still playing at 65 with all the older players who he used to play with. They got a team together because they just wanted to keep fit but they kept beating all the younger teams. It was a massive part of his life.”
Harry was born and bred in Accrington, living on Dowry Street and Manor Street.
He worked initially at Accrington Brickworks and then as a bin wagon driver for Hyndburn council for 30 years.
He took early retirement in 1995 to look after his granddaughters Chloe and Leah, and became a part-time warehouse cleaner at Broughtons.
His other hobbies included line dancing with the ‘Applejacks’ group, roller-skating with his granddaughters, caravanning and holidays to Benidorm.
He passed away just ten months after losing the love of his life, and wife of 62 years, Ann Breckell who he married aged 19.
Pamela said: “They lived round the corner from each other and met playing out on the street when they were 14, and were together ever since.
“I don’t think he ever got over my mum’s death. They had never been apart all those years, and after she went he didn’t want to carry on.
“He loved being a grandad and doted on his grandchildren. He always had a smile on his face, and was simply a brilliant person. He leaves a big hole in all our lives.”
His funeral will take place at Accrington Crematorium on Tuesday, April 18 at 3pm.
‘A lot of people have said he was the best they ever played against’
MR Henry Breckell, better known as Harry, died after a long battle with prostate cancer on Sunday, April 9, aged 77, his daughter Pamela Hollister by his side.
His death comes sadly just 10 months after his wife’s, Ann Breckell, to whom he was married for 62 years.
During his career, he worked at Accrington Brickworks delivering bricks, he then went on to work as a council wagon driver for more than 30 years. From here, he took early retirement.
However, he couldn’t sit at home for long as he went on to get another job, working part time at Broughton’s as a warehouse cleaner.
Harry was well-known in Accrington for his fantastic football career. He played for many teams over the years, Padiham United was where he played in his younger years and got paid as a semiprofessional here.
After this he moved on to play for Whinney Hill, where he spent most of his football career.
He was best known for scoring goals and his assertive manner on the pitch. Harry retired from football at the age of 65.
Harry also enjoyed line dancing every Wednesday and Thursday night where he went with his wife and granddaughter Chloe. He would attend local festivals with the Applejacks group and dance in front of many people. He also liked to bop and jive with his wife Ann.
Harry enjoyed going caravanning with his family and going on holidays to Benidorm many times a year, where Harry and his wife enjoyed a beer – or two.
He was a very popular man, with many great friends and a family that all loved him very much.
He leaves his only daughter Pamela and his two granddaughters Chloe and Leah, his sisters Margaret and Theresa and brothers-inlaw Peter and Steven.
Harry will be sadly missed by many and will always hold a special place in a lot of people’s hearts.
His funeral will be held at Accrington Crematorium at 3pm on Tuesday, April 18, then onto Peel Park pub for a celebration of his life.
Family flowers only please, with donations to Cancer Research.
Funeral director: Kirby and Hughes Funeral Service, Blackburn Road.