Kenneth Atkinson 7th July 1927 – 27th February 2015
Taken on my parents’ wedding day, 1959
My Dad died in the early hours of this morning. He’d been afflicted with Alzheimer’s for the very last part of his life, and there’s that inescapable feeling that this loss is just final confirmation of what has been a gradual departure over the last few years. It’s still a shock, though – and, blogs being blogs, this is where I have to say how I feel – and make my last farewell.
Dad was a ridiculously handsome man who failed utterly to pass those fortunate genes on to me, bequeathing instead a fanatical love for Leeds United Football Club. He was Mr. LUFC to me, John Charles’ greatest fan and a dedicated match-goer through the Don Revie glory years – when I was just a small child with no interest in the game. I wondered back then what all the fuss was about, to be honest – but when he finally relented and took me to my first ever match, that was it. I was hooked for life, and the many misfortunes of the Whites, together with their sadly few triumphs, have been mine too over the past forty years. Thanks, Dad. It was somewhat of a poisoned chalice you passed on to me, but I wouldn’t be without it.
Kenneth Atkinson was much, much more than just a football fan, of course. He was at various times a National Service soldier, a fine and well-loved teacher, a wonderful gardener, a DIY God, a Bing Crosby and Gracie Fields fan who was also much addicted to military and brass band music – and of course he was a son, a brother, a father and a grandfather. He was never happier than when he was in his garden or his garage, pottering about and making things beautiful. Those last three words would be a fine epitaph for anyone, I feel.
He was a Tory too, my Dad – but that wasn’t his fault. He’d caught it off his Ma and it came down a long line of impecunious smallholders, so I never held it against him. It gave us something else to argue about when the football was just too depressing for words. He liked to display the remnants of his language skills, as well, having won prizes for them in the early forties at the Kings School, Pontefract. I once went for a job at a frozen foods head office, and he left me a note, mixed French and Latin: “Courage, mon brave, à bas les peurs. Bonne chance. Per ardua ad Fish Fingers!” His was a unique and not completely accessible sense of humour. As he got older, he’d laugh helplessly at any jokes we told him – but in years gone by, only his own witticisms really tickled him. Then, when he’d said something he thought incredibly funny, he’d sit there, tears rolling down his cheeks, throbbing with silent, painful mirth until we were all in tucks just at the sight of him. It makes me smile now, just to think of it.
As Dad got older, the Alzheimer’s condition took an ever firmer grip on him. And yet, quite late in his life, he was active and nimble of mind. He loved to tell and write about his early memories of Pontefract, his home for all the 87 years of his life, and the place from which he set off on his travels to all four corners of the earth. I published on here a piece he wrote about his childhood in Old Church in Ponte, and this shows he had a tale or two to tell – and told them well. Really, the first thing that convinced me he was losing his grip on reality was an increasing sympathy for Man U and “Fergie”, as he referred to a man I can never bring myself to acknowledge. But that probably says more about my extreme prejudice than it does about my Dad’s state of mind.
I’ve never been very good at goodbyes, but this one has been coming for a while. I’ll remember him for the things he loved – the football, the garden, his immaculate tool shed. And the people, too – his wife, my Mum, who he was crazy about for well over fifty years, his parents when they were around, we three lads, his brother and sisters, two of whom went before him, and of course his three grandchildren. I was always proud that his only grand-daughter – my daughter Kate – was born on his 66th birthday; surely the best present he ever got. I’ll leave the actual goodbye to a quote from her, earlier today:
When I think of being little, I always think of sitting with my Grandad in his beautiful garden. I can’t imagine my next birthday, because it’ll be the first in my life that isn’t his birthday too. I’ll miss his huge hands and I’ll miss his terrible French and I’ll miss his stories about teaching and travelling. Goodbye Grandad. I love you forever, and I hope you’re back in your garden now.
As someone who always raised his own flowers, I’m sure he’d not wish them now. But if anyone is moved to make a small donation to the Alzheimer’s Society, then that would be a blessing and very much appreciated.
RIP, Dad. I hope Leeds can do the decent thing and wallop Watford for you. Say hi to Don and Billy and Gary and John Charles for me, won’t you.
And last of all – à bientôt, Papa xx
Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything 
Very sorry to hear your sad news Rob – R.I.P. Kenneth – Forever Leeds.
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Condolences to you Rob and your family. May your dad rest in peace.
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So very sorry for your loss Rob and family. Your father has left you with some beautiful memories . R.I.P.
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Beautifully written.your dad would have been very proud of what u put down today.m.o.t
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A very moving piece. Your Dad sounds like he was a top man rip mot from terry longbottom and family lifelong leeds fans
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Rob, my condolences to you and your family. My father also succumbed to Alzheimer’s just over 18 years ago now, coincidently the same day that my son was born ….. it’s strange how fate can throw up such mixed emotions!
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What a beautiful, heart-felt tribute. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve sensed the end was coming, it’s still your dad. It takes some getting over to realise they won’t be around any more. My own father wasn’t interested in football, or any sport apart from, bizarrely, wrestling on TV. But like your dad, Rob, me and my brothers nagged him into taking us to our first Leeds game, in 1959. Now, when I go to Elland Road I have a ritual whereby I look over to where we stood – on Lowfields Road, at the front, hanging over a wall with lots of kids in blue-and-gold scarves (who I immediately wanted to be like) – and have a fond little smile. I’m organising a music event to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society in May. Meantime, my condolences to you and your family – and, i’m sure, from all with LUFC at heart.
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Many thanks for this, it struck a chord with me, today in particular. If there’s anything I can do to help publicise your music event in May, please let me know.
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Dear Rob,thank you for that wonderful tribute to your dad.My sincere best wishes to you and your family.John Ingham.
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Great article on difficult subject matter.
All the best.
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Sincere condolences to you and your family Rob. I’m a long-standing Leeds fan but I don’t think it matters who your dad supported he was clearly a top bloke.
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Very sad news Rob condolences to you and all your family
You will always have the memories and love in your hearts for him RIP Kenneth
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Sorry for your loss
MOT. Sent from Me
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My mum died with that same debilitating disease Rob , my sympathies and condolences to you and your family . I hope Leeds can bring you a crumb of comfort tomorrow with a nice win against Watford . RIP Kenneth Atkinson .
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worst thing thats every happened in my life was losing my dad.
Look out for him in your dreams.
Your daughters quote reminds me so much of my own daughters sentiments after losing her grandmother last year.
Good luck and R.i.p
Tony
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It sounds to me Rob that the world has (gradually) lost a good and decent man. That deserves respect from one who never new him. May you and your family find peace and comfort at this time. I find it from God and family, while others find it from different places. Loss of a loved one brings a different perspective and puts football a little in the shade. I am pleased you have really good memories of him.
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Condolences to you and you family.
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A moving tribute Rob, All the very best to you and your family at this trying time
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Aint got the words Rob.
#MOT wïll that suffice??.
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Hi Rob, my heartfelt thoughts are with you, I lost my friend, my best mate, my old dad three years back. I miss him sorely he could read the game so well, he could see a goal coming where I could never see it. I can still see him sitting in the chair beside me when I watch Leeds, I can hear his ribbing, his antedotes and his chuckle when things went against us, and there I told you so, bugger he was loved to wind me up. the day of his wake, a work colleague of his came up to me and told me, every time he saw him that he told him how proud he was of me, so that little thing always stays with me. no one will ever take your memories me old mate, its bloody hard, you take care now and let it out, let it out and it helps mate. god bless you and god bless your dear dad. your a great lad too.
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Condolences Rob. My mother passed the same way 2 years ago. I know that pain
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sorry to hear about your Dad rob. Some real similarities to my Dad who not only looked like him but was also ex national service and a passionate working class tory. When I had a good boot boys mop of long hair in the seventies he thought Id become a communist(?!)
He hated football (yobos game) but loved boxing! He took a year to die of lung cancer buy I never remember that year, you will always just remember the good things.
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So sorry Rob, but what lovely/moving tribute you have written, thoughts with you, not a day goes without me giving a thought to my Dad who we lost 36yrs ago
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The legend that was Les, of course. I remember a packed Kop singing “There’s only one Les Cocker” after he’d passed away. Thanks, Dave.
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Rob, my heartfelt condolences to you and your family. I also read the link to your Dads guest blog, and in your thoughts please thank him for answering a question that until now I had never thought to ask. Liquorice was grown in Ponte cos the soil was deep enough for the long roots !
So from thousands of miles away, I called my Dad and Mum in Ponte tonight, just to say hello, of course, Dad thought as it wasn’t my usual Sunday call, I must be needing money !!
Rob, I’m going to wallow for a while in the evoked memories of home and wonder why your Grandad got a house up Willow Park a year or two before my Grandad did !
I will say thank you for the smile your writing always brings, and I hope you can find a crumb of solace knowing that in you, there will always be a part of him.
Love and best wishes to you and yours.
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Condolences Rob. Tough time and a reminder that life and death goes on within us and without us. Beautiful words from your daughter – brought a tear to me eye.
Yes, let’s hope for a memorial beating of Watford on Saturday.
Best
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Sorry to hear about your dad. We will all meet in that great WHITE yonder one day.
Yin from Indonesia/Malaysia.
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Very sorry for your loss. Such a moving tribute. May his memory continues marching on with all us Leeds fans
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So sorry for the loss of your Dad Rob . You did him proud with your tribute mate . Hope the lads do him proud tomorrow. God bless him , you and all your family. M.O.T
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My Sympathies to you and your family Rob, I lost my father when I was 15, when he died I lost one of the mainstays in my life and I was rudderless for a while, I missed his guidance through my formative years and it took me some time to find my way back, I know you’ll always miss him and I’m so glad that you had him with you and around you for so long, RIP Kenneth.
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Chin up Rob! Sorry for your loss. But you know he’s looking down from the heavens and will continue to watch you build the best damn Leeds United blog ever created!
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I hope my son writes something like that one day……
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Not too soon though, eh. Thanks Rob. And thanks even more for the you-know-what, you-know-where. It means so much. Never was a group so well named…
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Sorry for your loss Rob . Your daughters tribute was very moving and touching. I lost my dad 19 years ago and still miss him dearly. Thoughts are with you and your family at this extremely sad time. MOT .
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Very moving tribute Rob, your dad would be proud of you and your daughter,lovely memories to cherish.. M.O.T
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He’s in a better place Rob. I lost my dad when he was 60 you never fully get over it.
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Reblogged this on Life, Leeds United, the Universe & Everything and commented:
Reblogging this only because I initially omitted to include an Alzheimer’s Society link – and if just a few quid can be raised in the fight against this insidious robber of life and happiness, then it’ll be worthwhile.
Thanks for all the earlier comments – you can have no idea how much it’s helped. MOT
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So sorry for your loss Rob.
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Very sorry for your loss sure your dad is MOT in heaven with his loved ones now all the best to you and your family from leeds72 house hold on this sad day RIP
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Rob,
Condolences, very touching article and beautiful tribute from your daughter. My Mum has Alzheimers, it is a desperate condition that slowly steals away the person that you knew. Having said that although she often doesn’t know me , my children, my brothers etc., she laughs a lot more these days than she ever used to.
Perhaps your Dad could have a word with the great non-existent upstairs and ask for a fair crack of the whip for LUFC and for a bit of luck?
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Well I hope he has more luck getting the Big Guy Upstairs to listen, than he ever did with us three sons 😉 You’re spot on with the Alzheimer’s comment too – it really is a disease that affects the people around and about, more than the actual victim. Dad seemed content towards the end, and you can’t ask much more than that.
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Rob; so sorry to hear your sad news, your words really have touched me in a couple of ways. I live here in Vancouver, and will be making a trip back to England in a couple of weeks with my daughter, who is 12. My Mum has been diagnosed with Alzheimers, and this is the main reason for our visit. Whilst making the trip we will of course be taking in a couple of games against Forest, then Blackpool the following week, which will be my daughters first experience of watching Leeds, both home and away. I truly hope she will create similar beautiful memories of her Nana that your daughter has of your Dad. Her only wish is that Nana will remember who she is. I hope so to, and would also delight in seeing her glow after watching Leeds for the first time. MOT.
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Rob, your dad gave you life, Leeds, the universe & everything and for that you should be eternally grateful. I hope the Mighty Whites can help you smile again tomorrow
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Sorry for your loss mate. All the best.
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as a alzheimer”s nurse i no the pain of seeing a love one with this disease, take strength in the good time”s you had together , one day we will beat this, all my best to you and yours rob,,,,,mot
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My thoughts are with you and your family. I often read your blog (usually when im supposed to be working) and they often bring a smile to my face as they did with your dad. I lost my dad in 2011 who was also a leeds fan and think of him everyday. On the plus side the after life now has two more leeds fans. Ill ask my dad to get yours a beer. Mot
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Nice tribute Rob, I’m truly sorry for your loss. My dad passed a few years ago, time flies but it heals a little too, the hurt will pass mate and you will just be left with the good memories.
MOT forever.
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Pontefract. Broken bridge. Rob and family. Broken hearts, Truly sorry for your loss Rob. As always words aren’t enough. My Dad died 3 years ago. John Charles fan. First match at Elland Road. Similar story to a lot of us. It’s so hard but somehow i feel you have to learn to say goodbye and celebrate their lives I guess.
Don’t know how you managed to write that wonderful tribute blog; even though your dad well dersevred it.
With deepest sympathy (and some empathy) and greatest respect.
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I lost my Mum and Mum in law to Alzheimers Rob, and now my brother has had to go into a care home, not able to recognise his Wife , sons and grandchildren. When i asked someone, when my Mum was diagnosed, to try and explain the decease, they bluntly said, its known by some in the healthcare industry as ,the long goodbye, and god were thy right. The long slow deteriation in my Mums ability to recognise those that had been around her all her life, Family, friends and neighbours was horrible to witness, your Dads at peace now mate as is my Mum. So sorry for your loss. MOT
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Sorry for your loss Rob and thanks for your courage in writing today. MOT
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He sounds a bit like my Dad. You were very lucky to have him but it is hard to be a grown up. My condolences
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Sorry for your loss..strong words at a difficult..a wonderful read and insight to your father..a strong diginified man..a rare breed these days RIP
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Deepest sympathy, Rob. You could have been writing about my own dad
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So sorry to hear this news. I am a Pontefract lad by birth and LUFC fanatic. Your Dad comes across as a top top man. Never knew him, but I know I would have liked him. Respect.
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