The club was devastated to hear that Mary passed away a week last Friday after a short but very brave battle with cancer. The funeral will take place today at 12.40pm today at Southport Crematorium with the wake afterwards at The Richmond Pub, Scarisbrick New Road (no chilldren please). Paul, Ben & Olivia are then flying to Hawaii 48 hours later to be with Mary's family and honour her last wishes.

How many of us knew we had some Pacific Island stardust in our midst? Maybe a hint of an accent (and a smile!) when being served with your Sunday morning cup of tea from the kitchen. Or the encouragement for Bens age group from the touchline. Mary was simply one of us! A rugby loving mum, wife, parent, supporter and volunteer.

And what an inspiration her son's under 13s have been this year. Witnessing defection and defeat turning into unity and victory through hard work and determination she must have brimming with pride and we can only hope she got great solace in the team reaching the final of the Lancashire Vase.

The final will be played this Sunday at Waterloo Road and what a tribute it will be to Mary as the boys run out in their red black & amber hoops to give their all in front of her many friends at the club, swelled by others who may not have known her but will be there for her, the family and the team.

And it extends all the way to the First XV. With under 13s coach Gareth Lang in their midst the squad held a minutes silence before the home game a week last Saturday putting in a performance worthy of the occasion against Port Sunlight.

The family has requested donations only, either to MacMillan Nurses or Queenscourt Hospice, and with the Firsts and Thirds at home and the Race Night on Saturday followed by the Finals on Sunday I will arrange for a bucket to be left on the bar over the weekend to support these heartfelt causes in memory of Mary.

She will be very fondly remembered by those who knew her at the club, but for now all our thoughts are with Paul, Ben & Olivia.

With the support and love of everyone at Southport RFC

Graham