Keith Betney

[Gren Perry]

I am sad to report that Tony Betney phoned me earlier today to advise that his brother Keith passed away in his sleep during the night.

For the benefit of those who did not know him Keith was a former Captain of the Old Eds, a hard working member and more importantly a staunch friend of many of us who will be deeply saddened by this news.

Information is necessarily brief at this time but will be updated soon.

[woody]

This is sad news, I first met Keith in 1948 when we used to play Soccer in a cul-de-sac off Brookdale Road in the mornings before going to Higham Lane school Tony Betney and Mick Farn used to play too. Keith was his own man, but was a lot softer than the image he projected, as he did me several kindnesses over the years. There are many humorous stories about Keith which will no doubt continue to be related when the OLD old Edwardians meet.
No doubt he is now teaching God's first fifteen how to play game kike old Eds.
Roger Wood

[Gren Perry]

As promised here are the details of Keith's Funeral Service and other arrangements. For those of who have been making enquiries Keith who was 65 in August died in his sleep on Wednesday morning. He had made a full recovery from his original facial cancer but of late he had been suffering from Parkinsons and Arthritis. It is believed that these twin problems and side effects of the associated medication finally sapped his indomitable spirit.

The time, church, funeral directors and other details are as follows:

Thursday 21st December 10.00am
Saint Peter's Church
Netherseal


W.B. Bradford Funeral Directors
Loudon House
45 High Street
Measham
Derby
DE12 7HR

Tel [phone]

The funeral directors will be accepting flowers or donations to the 'Get A-Head Charitable Appeal' by post or at the church. Cheques should be made payable to 'Get Ahead'. This is a cancer, head and neck Injury charity based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham where Keith was treated for his facial cancer. To view their web site click here www.getahead.org.uk/.


The service will be for a burial and hospitality will available afterwards in a local hostelry which will probably be The Engine at Donnisthorpe.

I am not supplying Jenny's address here but I will pass it on to those of you who may make a specific request and I will gladly forward any email that comes my way. If any of you wish to pay your respects by way of a reply then please do so If you want to do this but do not fancy writing on the web site send it to me in an email to [e-mail] and I will happily do it for you.

Finally I hope to see as many of you at the funeral where we can all say our last goodbyes to a dear friend.

[barnesr]

I am not great email checker - I have only just read this news.
I find myself a bit stunned by the news and little lost for words - but I feel I have to say something.
As people may (or may not!) know I have been away from daily club life for over 20 years.

Keith was Match/Fixture secretary when I was skipper in the 70s/80s. I also played in the same first team with him. As a committed, forthright backrow player he was second to none. His half time pep talks have passed into legend! Instantly about 10 quotes come to mind - this is probably not the time to relate them.

Jumbp

[Nick Downes]

Nice to see a good turn out from club members to-day, I know some of you travelled some distance

Thanks
Nick Downes
Chairman

[battrick]

Re Keith Betney. I've just enrolled onto the Old Eds Site, and the first bit of news has shocked me about Keith. Keith was instrumental in me making the conversion to Rugby in 1970, and have good memories, both on and off the field. I was actually playing with him when he recieved his first broken cheek bone. I always admired his guts and commitment to the team.
I am so sorry. Please give my kind regards to Tony.
On a lighter note, I'm chuffed to see Nick Downs and Bill Ormerod holding the fort and giving so much back to the club. Good on yer.
Can you let me know when the annual dinner will be held.
PS. I may have some old photo's of Jim Startin in his England Kit. I'll see if I can dig them out Gren.