General
news
Stadium stalwart mourned by Blues
EVO-STIK League Frickley Athletic are mourning the passing of their stadium announcer and stalwart Keith Donkin.
Described as a club legend after officials learned of his death at end of last week, 'Donks', pictured was the unmistakable 'velvet voice of Frickley' at the The Bigfellas Stadium for many years.
Blues press office and webmaster Michael Johnson paid a personal tribute to the popular figure and father-of-two and grandfather in a statement announcing the sad news and his funeral at 10.50am on Friday 25 May at Ardsley Crematorium.
Johnson wrote: "Anyone who has ever been to a Frickley home game will know, or know of, 'Donks'. He loved his sport, especially the Blues and Barnsley and all things cricket related. He has been the unmistakable 'voice of Frickley' over the years in his role as stadium announcer at the Wezziecana.
"If you've ever won the 'golden goal' or 'half-time draw', then you will have heard his velvet tones. Anyone that met him face to face will have been hit with his favourite question - what is the weight of a cricket ball? 5.75 ounces if you're interested!
"On a personal note, in the short time that I've been doing my bits and pieces I have gotten to know Keith quite well and I have never spent a dull moment in his company. His story-telling is the stuff of legend and he was always ready to have a bit of banter with the media boys.
"He is in the very fabric of our club, a wonderful man and all round good egg. I think his best trait was never to take life too seriously - something we could do well to remember. You couldn't spend too much time in Keith's company without seeing a massive smile on his face. Our thoughts are with his family at this time."
He added: "RIP Keith - you'll be missed by everyone, and I mean everyone, at Frickley. You can hear him now reading the teamsheet for the big Angels vs Cherubs game. God bless you Donks."
Image courtesy of Onionbag Photography/Frickley Athletic
Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague
Blues press office and webmaster Michael Johnson paid a personal tribute to the popular figure and father-of-two and grandfather in a statement announcing the sad news and his funeral at 10.50am on Friday 25 May at Ardsley Crematorium.
Johnson wrote: "Anyone who has ever been to a Frickley home game will know, or know of, 'Donks'. He loved his sport, especially the Blues and Barnsley and all things cricket related. He has been the unmistakable 'voice of Frickley' over the years in his role as stadium announcer at the Wezziecana.
"If you've ever won the 'golden goal' or 'half-time draw', then you will have heard his velvet tones. Anyone that met him face to face will have been hit with his favourite question - what is the weight of a cricket ball? 5.75 ounces if you're interested!
"On a personal note, in the short time that I've been doing my bits and pieces I have gotten to know Keith quite well and I have never spent a dull moment in his company. His story-telling is the stuff of legend and he was always ready to have a bit of banter with the media boys.
"He is in the very fabric of our club, a wonderful man and all round good egg. I think his best trait was never to take life too seriously - something we could do well to remember. You couldn't spend too much time in Keith's company without seeing a massive smile on his face. Our thoughts are with his family at this time."
He added: "RIP Keith - you'll be missed by everyone, and I mean everyone, at Frickley. You can hear him now reading the teamsheet for the big Angels vs Cherubs game. God bless you Donks."
Image courtesy of Onionbag Photography/Frickley Athletic
Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague
