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Phil Meade RIP
John Loughnane25 Jun 2022 - 11:48
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Popular ex-Wids winger and RL schools coach died earlier this week.
News of Phil Meade’s death reached the club on Thursday evening. Messages and memories came thick and fast yesterday from home and abroad. “A really good guy and talented sportsman” was an accurate comment received from Spain.
A skilful footballer, golfer and rugby player, Phil arrived at the Wids in the early 80s for training and a trial game. With the first touch of the ball, wearing football jersey and boots, he ran virtually the full length of the pitch, bobbing and ⁸weaving around seemingly every member of the opposition to score. This set out his stall and he became known as unpredictable and very quick, claiming many memorable tries. His first team heritage number is 286, flanked by Paul Woodward and Mike Field. Against Wigan RU, he was marked by their 18 year old winger Joe Lydon who was soon to sign for Widnes Rugby League. Another Chemics great of that era, Keith Elwell played alongside Phil at Ward Blenkinshop Chemicals.
However, his most prominent Rugby League involvement was with the Widnes Schools town team led by local headmaster Roger Harrison, now a Vikings board member. Close links with Roger stretched as far as partaking in the annual St Joseph’s, Penketh pantomime. The duo performed and gained fame as ugly sisters in the 90s and 00s, irrespective of whether or not that year’s play was Cinderella.
He also worked at Bush Boake Allen and as formulations manager at MTM in Warrington where colleagues included Wids stalwarts Ged Snee and Geoff Witter.
At Ward Blenkinsop he became known for organising crazy Christmas parties and raising money for Alder Hey hospital on Yorkshire Dales 3 Peaks Walks, enjoying a few Yorkshire ales on the way.
Our sympathies are extended to Phil’s wife Janice and family. He will be greatly missed.
His funeral has been arranged for 9.30am Wednesday 13th July at St Michael’s RC church, then 11am at Widnes Crematorium. Following this, everyone is welcome to come to the Wids. Family flowers only, please. Donations are to be arranged.
A skilful footballer, golfer and rugby player, Phil arrived at the Wids in the early 80s for training and a trial game. With the first touch of the ball, wearing football jersey and boots, he ran virtually the full length of the pitch, bobbing and ⁸weaving around seemingly every member of the opposition to score. This set out his stall and he became known as unpredictable and very quick, claiming many memorable tries. His first team heritage number is 286, flanked by Paul Woodward and Mike Field. Against Wigan RU, he was marked by their 18 year old winger Joe Lydon who was soon to sign for Widnes Rugby League. Another Chemics great of that era, Keith Elwell played alongside Phil at Ward Blenkinshop Chemicals.
However, his most prominent Rugby League involvement was with the Widnes Schools town team led by local headmaster Roger Harrison, now a Vikings board member. Close links with Roger stretched as far as partaking in the annual St Joseph’s, Penketh pantomime. The duo performed and gained fame as ugly sisters in the 90s and 00s, irrespective of whether or not that year’s play was Cinderella.
He also worked at Bush Boake Allen and as formulations manager at MTM in Warrington where colleagues included Wids stalwarts Ged Snee and Geoff Witter.
At Ward Blenkinsop he became known for organising crazy Christmas parties and raising money for Alder Hey hospital on Yorkshire Dales 3 Peaks Walks, enjoying a few Yorkshire ales on the way.
Our sympathies are extended to Phil’s wife Janice and family. He will be greatly missed.
His funeral has been arranged for 9.30am Wednesday 13th July at St Michael’s RC church, then 11am at Widnes Crematorium. Following this, everyone is welcome to come to the Wids. Family flowers only, please. Donations are to be arranged.
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