Extraordinary
JAMES — known as Jim and Locko — was a loving husband, dad, son, brother, uncle, cousin, police officer, community supporter, runner, football coach, local reporter and friend to so many. After gaining a business degree, he worked in an office, but it soon became clear he couldn’t sit at a desk. He joined Greater Manchester Police, rising to the rank of inspector, serving in Stockport and Trafford. He met Glenys at the age of 17, and they got married on the Greek island of Kefalonia in 2002. Then along came Jemma and Joe, and the family was complete. To say James loved football would be an understatement. He was taken to his first match at the age of eight and from that day was an avid supporter of Stoke City and Leek Town FC. He went all over the world to watch England play. Joe was as keen on football as his dad and they travelled up and down the country to watch Stoke. James loved his home town of Leek — so much so he was nicknamed Mr Leek — and the beautiful surrounding areas of the Staffordshire Moorlands and Peak District. He was often seen running or walking in the countryside with
his dog, Jasper. He had been due to take part in the London Marathon before it was cancelled due to the pandemic. He took on the 28-mile Three Wonders of Leek — a ramble around Rudyard Lake and Tittesworth Reservoir, a climb to Roach End and over the Roaches to finish at his favourite pub, the Blue Mugge. James was a steward, football coach and referee. He set up and managed Leek Town’s Under-7s team. When he took some of the boys to watch Stoke City play at home and away, a football always went with them so they could play a game before the match. Grassroots football at its best. Social media, particularly Leek TV, which he founded, gave him a platform to enhance the profile of the town. Through businesses donating for advertising, it became a major fundraiser for the Douglas Macmillan Hospice, raising thousands. Leek Town manager Neil Baker described James as a ‘phenomenal guy, who was involved in everything. No one was quite sure how he managed to fit it all in. He’ll always be remembered in
Leek and the club will honour him’. His friends in the police raised £8,000 for charity in his memory. Due to coronavirus restrictions, there was a strict limit on the number of mourners who could attend James’s funeral. His family were touched that his police colleagues and the people of Leek, many in football shirts and scarves, turned out in force to pay their respects, lining the streets around the church. JAMES LOCKETT, born March 1, 1975; died november 18, 2020, aged 45.