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Stephen D. Thorpe (1948-2024)
Justin English22 Oct 2024 - 06:34
@rfu @yrfu
It was with much sadness that the Club received the news two weeks ago of the death of Steve Thorpe on Saturday 5th October 2024, in the care of Pinderfields Hospital, at the age of 75 years after suffering with Lymphoma blood cancer for 13 years, an illness which was bravely borne. Steve was born in Wakefield on 16th December 1948 being one of four sons (Vince, Stephen, Lawrence and Michael - By order of birth). He attended St. Austins Junior school in Wakefield but then aged 11 he had to transfer to St. Bede’s Catholic Grammar School in Bradford. Upon leaving school in 1964, at the age of 15, he took an apprenticeship to train as a Tool Maker with the Precision Engineering Company of Slater and Crabtree Ltd with whom he was employed for most of his working life.
After leaving school he played some rugby league with Eastmoor RLFC before he was persuaded by his elder brother Vince to join Sandal RUFC for the start of the1966/67. In his position as a loose head prop he soon commanded a place in the Club’s 1st XV and from time to time with the ‘A’ XV and ‘B’ XV’s during the four decades he played being from the mid 1960’s until the early 1990’s, when he retired from the game at the age of 45 years.
Upon retiring from playing Steve became a Vice President at the start of the 1991/92 season – a membership he held for some 33 years. Whilst his playing days were over he still wished to be involved in supporting the 1st XV and in this respect he acted as the team’s manager during the 1990’s ensuring that all shirts and other equipment were available to the team at both home and away matches. This proved to be an important role to a side now playing a senior class of rugby. His involvement in this role was recognised by the Club when in 1999 he received the “Nigel McFarlane Clubman of the Year Award”. Whilst he never wished to become a member of a Committee he was responsible for arranging coach trips from the Club to England international games for many years, which featured trips to Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris as well as several journeys to Twickenham. In addition he was always willing to support the Club when requested at any time and in any way possible.
However, with the onset of his illness in 2011 Steve took less of an active part in the Club’s activities which also coincided with supporting his grandson, Danny Grainger, who played with the Huddersfield Colts and 1st XV for several years until 2018. During this period Steve never lost touch with the Club and when Danny returned to Sandal he resumed, with his wife Denise, his support of the Club’s 1st XV up to the end of last season.
It is at this sad and difficult time that our thoughts must be with Steve’s wife Denise, his daughter Anne, his son-in-law Mark, grandson Danny and his granddaughters Rose and Anya. Over the years Steve has contributed much to Club life in a quiet and unassuming way, always embracing its activities and will be remembered for his loyal support of Sandal RUFC for almost 60 years with his name being added to the list Sandal’s stalwarts.
Steve’s funeral service will take place at the Wakefield Crematorium on Friday 1st November 2024 at 1.20 pm with a reception afterwards at Sandal RUFC.
Howard Newton
After leaving school he played some rugby league with Eastmoor RLFC before he was persuaded by his elder brother Vince to join Sandal RUFC for the start of the1966/67. In his position as a loose head prop he soon commanded a place in the Club’s 1st XV and from time to time with the ‘A’ XV and ‘B’ XV’s during the four decades he played being from the mid 1960’s until the early 1990’s, when he retired from the game at the age of 45 years.
Upon retiring from playing Steve became a Vice President at the start of the 1991/92 season – a membership he held for some 33 years. Whilst his playing days were over he still wished to be involved in supporting the 1st XV and in this respect he acted as the team’s manager during the 1990’s ensuring that all shirts and other equipment were available to the team at both home and away matches. This proved to be an important role to a side now playing a senior class of rugby. His involvement in this role was recognised by the Club when in 1999 he received the “Nigel McFarlane Clubman of the Year Award”. Whilst he never wished to become a member of a Committee he was responsible for arranging coach trips from the Club to England international games for many years, which featured trips to Cardiff, Edinburgh, Dublin, Paris as well as several journeys to Twickenham. In addition he was always willing to support the Club when requested at any time and in any way possible.
However, with the onset of his illness in 2011 Steve took less of an active part in the Club’s activities which also coincided with supporting his grandson, Danny Grainger, who played with the Huddersfield Colts and 1st XV for several years until 2018. During this period Steve never lost touch with the Club and when Danny returned to Sandal he resumed, with his wife Denise, his support of the Club’s 1st XV up to the end of last season.
It is at this sad and difficult time that our thoughts must be with Steve’s wife Denise, his daughter Anne, his son-in-law Mark, grandson Danny and his granddaughters Rose and Anya. Over the years Steve has contributed much to Club life in a quiet and unassuming way, always embracing its activities and will be remembered for his loyal support of Sandal RUFC for almost 60 years with his name being added to the list Sandal’s stalwarts.
Steve’s funeral service will take place at the Wakefield Crematorium on Friday 1st November 2024 at 1.20 pm with a reception afterwards at Sandal RUFC.
Howard Newton
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