Tributes to caring grandfather who had 'football in his blood'

Frank O’Kane, who helped Darwen FC win the Lancashire Combination League championship in 1971 and 1972 and the league and cup double in 1975, died at home last Tuesday, aged 66, after a year-long battle with terminal cancer.

A father-of-two and grandfather-of-three, Frank managed Rossendale United, Radcliffe Borough and Accrington Stanley before taking up golf at the age of 40.

He played at Lowes Park Golf Club for more than 20 years, being selected as club captain in 2010, and will be buried in his captain’s uniform.

Frank was born in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1948 and lived there until he moved to Bury, aged 18 months.

He studied at St Marie’s RC Primary School and St Gabriel’s RC High School, beginning work at 17 as a moulder, first at Bobby Halls and later for Walmsleys.

Frank and wife Christine, of Ainsworth Road, Bury, met in 1964, and were married in 1969, when Frank was 21 and Christine was 23.

The couple celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary at home with close friends, just three days before Frank died.

Christine, aged 68, said: “Frank was so funny, he made everyone laugh.

“And after 45 years together, I still do not understand the offside rule.

“Through football you get to know a lot of people and Frank will be remembered by them not just as a manager, but as a friend too.

“He got to know all the players and loved it if he could bring a young lad up. He had a lot of respect for the players, and they had a lot of respect for him.”

Frank and Christine have two daughters; Catherine, aged 43, and 40-year-old Claire, who both live in Bury.

They also have three grandchildren: 12-year-old James and Ewan, aged 10, the children of Catherine and her husband Matt; and Claire and husband Craig’s daughter Poppy, aged 13 months.

Frank’s son-in-law Matt Gibson added: “He wanted one of his grandsons to be a footballer and luckily Ewan is taking after him. Frank had football in his blood.”

An accomplished striker, Frank scored more than 100 goals in three seasons while playing for Darwen FC in the Lancashire Combination League.

He began playing for St Gabriel’s school team and Bury Boys before joining local amateur team Anfield United in 1965 and later Clarence Athletic.

He was lured from Darwen to the high-spending Droylsden FC and later had successful stints at Horwich, Stalybridge Celtic, Radcliffe Borough and Rossendale United.

A lifelong Manchester United supporter, Frank also played Sunday league football for Raven FC.

Christine said: “All our family want to thank staff at Pennine NHS, The Christie Hospital, Ribblesdale House Medical Centre and Pankaj Pharmacy, as well as Macmillan nurse Geraldine and routes palliative care team, Billy, Sanya, Jackie and Louise.”

She also praised friends Tom and Anne Harrington, Bob Parkinson, Dave Ogden, Martin Howard and Irene and Pete Holt for their help during Frank’s illness. 

Christine added: “It’s testament to Frank that we had so many people calling and letting us know how much they cared about him.”

Frank’s funeral took place on Thursday at Guardian Angels Church in Bury at 9.15am before a burial at Bury cemetery at 10.30am.

Children at St Gabriel’s High School have been raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support in Frank’s honour.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can go to macmillan.tributefunds.com/frankokane