Tributes paid to well-known Waterloo RFC member Tony Cove

Jul 8 2010 by Janine Yaqoob, Crosby Herald

TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-standing Waterloo Rugby Club member who died recently.

Tony Cove, aged 69, passed away on June 29 following complications after surgery.

The club flag is currently flying at half mast in his honour.

Waterloo RUFC coach Gareth Hopkin, who knew Tony for many years, said: “He was an absolutely smashing bloke. Tony did the PR for Waterloo for many years, when we at the height of our success in the 1980s. He was a real stalwart at the club, attending games regularly.

“Everyone loved him, and everyone will miss him dearly.”

Born in Stamford in 1941, Tony began his working life as a junior reporter on the Peterborough Mercury before opting for a career in public relations.

After working for PR firms in London, Tony was appointed as PR manager for Pilkington Glass in St Helens.

The past president of Liverpool Press Club moved to Proctor Road in Formby in 1975 before settling in Wicks Green with wife Angela.

A passionate rugby union fan, Tony become an official of Waterloo and successfully devoted much of his spare time to coaching up- and-coming players, including Ben Kay, who went on to play for England during their World Cup triumph.

Until his death Tony attended home games at every opportunity.

Children in Formby knew him as ‘Farmer Ted’ after the rural adventure place where he had worked since it opened in 2003.