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Ian Walkden passes away - UPDATE
Alden Phillips15 Dec 2025 - 11:48
Ian's funeral will be held at Oakworth Crematorium at 11:30am on Thursday 8th January 2026
KRUFC are saddened to report that one of our long standing members, Ian Walkden ('little Ian' as he was affectionally called) , passed away on Tuesday 9th December in Herncliffe Nursing Home with his family by his side.
He was born on 6th June 1944 (D-Day) and so lived for 81 yeas.
Born in BlackBURN (he always emphasised the second syllable !) his sport in his early years was association football where he was a speedy winger. He also ran several marathons.
His working life was spent in the shoe manufacturing trade, firstly in Blackburn before coming to live in Steeton, Keighley to take up a post at Peter Black's. He was married to an Austrian girl and they had one daughter, Rebecca, who later emigrated to New Zealand. Sadly his marriage broke down.
A Black's he forged a relationship with Edith Part, who also worked at Black's and they were together for about 30 years before marrying on 11th Sept 2021, to which many members were invited.
Edith had 3 sons, Jan, Margus and Alex and hence Ian's relationship with Keighley RUFC began around 1986, just before we moved to Utley. The boys played there and he supported them and quickly became involved.
He was on the General Committee, a team manager for 3rd team and also House and Ground Co-ordinator. (He did not like the term H&G Chairman!).
He was always supportive of the players and was a regular on the 1st team bus to away games. He was also keen to get a report of all the senior rugby games in the Keighley News to keep our name to the fore, with the aim of advertising our club.
He spent many hours pushing the white lining machine around the 4 pitches at Utley including the 'postage stamp field as it was known.
Outside of rugby, Ian was a leading figure in the Men of Worth project to honour all those who took part in the two world wars and always sold poppies at our club for Remembrance Day each November.
He will be sadly missed by many members.
In his latter years he had many health problems but always soldiered on with a smile on his face.
Rest in peace Ian and rise in glory.
He was born on 6th June 1944 (D-Day) and so lived for 81 yeas.
Born in BlackBURN (he always emphasised the second syllable !) his sport in his early years was association football where he was a speedy winger. He also ran several marathons.
His working life was spent in the shoe manufacturing trade, firstly in Blackburn before coming to live in Steeton, Keighley to take up a post at Peter Black's. He was married to an Austrian girl and they had one daughter, Rebecca, who later emigrated to New Zealand. Sadly his marriage broke down.
A Black's he forged a relationship with Edith Part, who also worked at Black's and they were together for about 30 years before marrying on 11th Sept 2021, to which many members were invited.
Edith had 3 sons, Jan, Margus and Alex and hence Ian's relationship with Keighley RUFC began around 1986, just before we moved to Utley. The boys played there and he supported them and quickly became involved.
He was on the General Committee, a team manager for 3rd team and also House and Ground Co-ordinator. (He did not like the term H&G Chairman!).
He was always supportive of the players and was a regular on the 1st team bus to away games. He was also keen to get a report of all the senior rugby games in the Keighley News to keep our name to the fore, with the aim of advertising our club.
He spent many hours pushing the white lining machine around the 4 pitches at Utley including the 'postage stamp field as it was known.
Outside of rugby, Ian was a leading figure in the Men of Worth project to honour all those who took part in the two world wars and always sold poppies at our club for Remembrance Day each November.
He will be sadly missed by many members.
In his latter years he had many health problems but always soldiered on with a smile on his face.
Rest in peace Ian and rise in glory.
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