It is with sadness that the North East Region report the passing of Jack Martin who was treasurer of Wakefield Water Polo League and secretary of Northern Water Polo League.

City of Sheffield Water Polo Club commented:

” A very sad day for COSWPC as we learned of the passing our first life member, Jack Martin… a true stalwart of the club and well known throughout the local water polo community… head men’s coach Martin Kelly tells this story of how Jack first got involved… ‘ he was in Sheffield sea Cadets with my dad (who was our match secretary). The two of them took charge of the Sheffield’ division’s swimming team for the National gala (sea cadets national gala that is – very low standard). They asked us if they could borrow half an hour of our pool time to do some time trials. They came along – a few of us helped out showing them how to do takeovers on relays etc. They all stayed behind afterwards to watch our game. Jack enjoyed it came again and my dad talked him into helping on the table – the rest as they say — that was at least 45 years ago !!”

” We are very proud of the tactics board and trophy cabinet presented to the club by Jack… a true Sheffield stalwart…”

” Very sad news to hear of the passing of Jack Martin. Jack was a massive part of the water polo family in Sheffield and the North East for many years. I started playing at Sheffield when I was 10 years old and Jack was there at Glossop Road baths every week with the inimitable Albert Kelly on the table (match or no match) like Statler and Waldorf giving many of the players a bit of tongue in cheek jovial stick to keep us on our toes and having a laugh. And right to the end even when poorly he was giving his time up to organise competitions and was genuinely interested in the progress of all the young players in the region.
But more than all of that Jack was a lovely bloke, who always wore an infectious smile.
RIP Jack. You will be hugely missed.”

Our condolences go to Jack’s family and friends.