Allan Kenyon, a former Hyde United chairman, director, long-standing sponsor and supporter has died aged 70 following a brave battle with Motor Neurone Disease.
Though Allan was only chairman for 18 months, he oversaw one of the most successful seasons in the club’s history.
Allan appointed the late Gary Lowe as manager and in 2011/12 season the Tigers won promotion from Blue Square North to Conference National.
It represented a remarkable turnabout in Hyde’s fortunes as Allan took over at a time of major upheaval in the boardroom at Ewen Fields.
“Allan came home from a meeting to say he was chairman, a job he said he would do for a few months,” explained wife Dee.
“He was walking on air for his 18 months as chairman and was so proud to have the job. It was wonderful for everyone connected with the club to win promotion.
“It was his wish to stand down, but he still sponsored the team either personally or through his company ATS Plumbing and Heating.”
And even when confined to a wheelchair in recent times, Allan was still attending games until earlier this season or listening to commentary on 26nil.com.
It was very much a family involvement with wife Dee and children Vicki and Bradley taking on a variety of jobs on matchdays – manning the refreshment hut, selling programmes and 50/50 draw tickets and helping with boardroom hospitality.
Allan, who lived in Woodley, was also a diehard Manchester City fan and he helped nurture good relations with them and Manchester United who both played reserve-team games at Hyde.
Allan was raised as one of six children on Bentley Road, Denton, and attended St Anne’s Primary followed by Egerton Park.
He became a telephone engineer with BT after leaving school and after a spell in South Africa returned to his home town to form ATS Plumbing and Heating with his elder brother Stuart and friend Tony Pieron.
Allan eventually became sole owner and was involved with the business for 40 years until his retirement in June 2019.
After being diagnosed with MND, Allan was inspired by rugby legend Kevin Sinfield’s fundraising efforts for MND after the rugby star’s former Leeds Rhinos’ team-mate Rob Burrow was struck down by the illness.
And when Sinfield did his last epic 300-mile run from Murrayfield, Edinburgh, to Old Trafford, Manchester, Allan was taken to Morrison’s in Failsworth where he met him towards the end of his seven-day challenge.
“Dad was delighted to meet Kevin who is a hero of the MND world for what he has done for his friend Rob Burrow.”
Sinfield, who has raised more than £7million for research into finding a cure for MND, has sent his condolences and thoughts to the family, adding “we will keep banging the drum.”
And to raise funds for MND in memory of her father, Vicki is to run the Rob Burrow Leeds Marathon on May 14.
Allan leaves wife Dee, children Vicki and Bradley and grandchildren Charlotte and Max.
Allan’s funeral takes place on Thursday, March 23 at St Lawrence’s Church, Denton, at 12.30pm followed by burial at Denton Cemetery at 1.30pm.