SOMETIME player and lifetime supporter of Wellington Rugby Football Club Graham Hackling has died at the age of 69.

He passed away late in the evening on Saturday, April 29, from complications following surgery required to remove cancer. An informal celebration of his life will be held today (Thursday) from 4pm at the Rugby Club.

Like many rugby players, he built up a thirst for drinking in the bar afterwards. Even after retiring, shouting from the sideline also seemed to make him quite parched!

Graham was born in Weston-super-Mare but moved to Taunton with his parents William (Bill) and Phyllis Hackling, and older brother Terry, who to this day still refers to him as ‘Titch’.

He met the love of his life, Jane, at a youth club dance in 1962 and they married in 1968. They settled on a smallholding in the Blackdown Hills in 1975 to start a family of both the human and animal variety.

Graham will be buried on the property in a private service next to their first Hereford cow, Kate – Jane will be buried the other side as ‘the cows have always come between them’.

Graham was a character – whether as the Wildman of Wellington, 6ft 2in Father Christmas or even Mic Fleetwood, recognisable by the abused red Range Rover with its complement of dogs, a jacket with bailer twine sticking out of the pocket and his Wellington boots that he assumed must always be worn when visiting the town.

There was no such person as a stranger, just someone he had not befriended yet. He always had a quick wit – even when he found out he would need chemotherapy he asked with a smile: ‘Will I lose my hair?’ He remained steadfast until the end, shrugging off offers of help with a casual ‘it’ll be alright’.

They broke the mould when they made Graham Hackling, probably on purpose, and he will be sorely missed.