We have been informed today that Chris Lyon has died following an illness stretching over many years. To date, he is one of only two people to have held all four positions as Widnes RUFC Captain, President, Treasurer and Chairman. Fellow Wade Deacon old boy Peter Barrow is the other.

Despite being injured in a traffic accident in his school days, Chris followed his contemporaries to Heath Road and made his first team debut in 1974/75 season (Heritage Number 214). He quickly established and sustained a reputation as one of the club’s most colourful characters on and off the field, including many hours in committee meetings during an era of dramatic change in the course of Rugby Union.

His lasting legacy to Widnes RUFC is the two storey extension built in 1996 and financed by the National Lottery as part of Prime Minister John Major’s commitment to sport’s key role in the country’s cultural heritage. Chris went to great lengths to win that grant and used development of the club’s junior section from 1991 as evidence to support the bid.

The three photos above show him in his committee days at junior events. As President, he can be see be seen presenting certificates to the early crop of Wids Kids. The middle picture is in his time as Treasurer at Twickenham for the Lancashire v Yorkshire County Championship Final. The third one sees him celebrating at Preston Grasshoppers after the 1997 U-14s semi-final win which set that team on the road to a Lancashire Cup hat-trick. “Jinxy”, as he was known to most people, lobbied the county to hold the 1999 finals at the Wids. There were serious doubts from the start. That season had seen rain and muddy pitches disrupt fixtures but the sun shone on the day of the Finals and a bumper crowd turned out to watch the four games. Chairman Jinxy was justified.

By no means uniquely in the game, he welcomed Rugby Union’s professional era and had great ambitions for his club, only to discover that misconceptions and misjudgement had beset the sport. In view of his failing health, he took the view that stepping down was sensible in the circumstances. He has been missed at the Wids but there are plenty pictures of him on the club walls and in the Salt Room. His name, lettered in gold, is on the honours board twice while tales of his rugby career will resound here and around the county forever.

We will pass on funeral details when known. Our prayers are with Chris and his family - wife Linda, daughter Joanne, son Christopher Junior and grandchildren.