Bob Kenyon was a player for the Blackpool Seagulls from the 1960s and took over as manager in 1970, and was one of the driving forces behind the forming of the new Southern League. He won the Southern League coach of the year award on two occasions and led the Seagulls to two English League North titles in 80/81 and 81/2.
Bob was instrumental in orchestrating the Seagulls’ campaigns
in the Heineken League period and only stepped down in 1988 when the owners of
the Pleasure Beach arena cut the team’s funding, forcing them to drop out of
import hockey. Kenyon’s influence continued,
however, as the Seagulls carried on playing in the English Leagues until 1993 when
the team moved to Blackburn. Even now, the Kenyon legacy continues as new generations
of players and coaches around the North West benefit from those who had his coaching
and support.
The event is being organised by Bob’s son Darryl Kenyon who played
in goal for the Seagulls and whose own daughter Jennifer is herself a promising
junior netminder.
The match faces off at 4pm and admission is £2 per adult
with under-12s admitted free. There will
also be a bucket collection and raffle – any prizes will be gratefully received.
A full list of the players who will be turning out in memory of Bob Kenyon will be issued nearer the time.
All proceeds will be split between the Christie Hospital in Manchester and Trinity Hospice in Blackpool, who both took care of Bob during his illness.
