A rugby club has paid tribute to its former vice chairman after his death. Vice Chairman of Wigan Warriors, John Martin, was described as ‘Wigan through and through’.
John, who was respected by all in Wigan, regularly attended games at the DW Stadium and performed at the Riverside Club just last Saturday, despite struggling with illness.
Martin, who joined the Cherry and White’s board in 1992, passed away at the age of 77, on Tuesday. He has since been described as a ‘man who loved to perform but always had time for everybody’.
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He began his success in 1977 at the legendary Riverside Club, at Central Park, a cabaret venue which John ran for 46 years.
The ex-manager and licensee of the club wove the cultural fabric of the town by his influence in the late 1980’s and early 90’s, where Wiganers routinely partied to John’s performances each weekend.
The Riverside Club was built into the iconic Central Park, the Warriors’ home stadium before their move to the JJB in 1999. At the venue, John sang the iconic Wigan Rugby Club song until the early hours as guests from near and far extended their rugby match day out to see him perform.
Vice Chairman of the Warriors’ club, Kris Radlinski said when John was on stage “it felt like New Year’s Eve every night”. Martin would entertain thousands of Wigan fans while waiting for the team to return from Wembley triumphs.
When the team were informed of his passing, players commented on how well John treated them individually, and were sad to hear of the news.
John’s influence went much further than that though. He helped Wigan sign Rugby League Hall of Famer, Martin Offiah in 1991, who went on to win 14 trophies with the club.
Kris said: “He was a man who loved to perform but someone who always had time for everybody.”
The night Kris signed for Wigan, John welcomed him and his family into the boardroom and ensured that their experience was a memorable one, a testament to his attentiveness.
John also ran the hospitality for the club, including feeding guests and players, with food he made himself. He was invited to the Directors box frequently in the weeks and months leading up to his death, and was “always grateful to be looked after”, according to Kris.
Perhaps the traits that made John so special however, were his bravery and generosity. Despite struggling with illness, John performed just last Saturday, claiming he didn’t want to let anybody down.
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