Kenny Smith

1954 - 2009
 

Speedway said goodbye to Kenny Smith in a funeral service held on the centre green of Scunthorpe Stadium. 

A crowd of about 400 possibly more (I’m not so good at judging crowds as I used to be) made up of Family and Friends, Supporters, Promoters, Team Managers, Referees and riders, had assembled on the centre green at 10am Tuesday 21^st July. 

The Hearse brought the coffin onto the track round towards the starting gate to the music, Two out of Three ain’t bad - by Meatloaf, the coffin was placed on a trestle for the service, on the sides of the coffin were pictures of Kenny with the Scunthorpe Team, the Scorpions Logo, a picture of Kenny leaning over the fence, how we remember him with that lovely smile.

Introduction and Bible reading was followed by a Hymn – O Jesus, I have Promised, then the Eulogy was given by the Rev Lyn Gregg, after that Brian Havelock gave a Tribute Reading. 

The Cortège then left the Stadium for the Woodlands Crematorium to the music, Catch us if you can - by The Dave Clark Five. 

 At the Crematorium, the Word of introduction was given by the Rev Lyn Gregg, followed by the Hymn Make me a channel of your peace, then a Poem – The Last Ride was read by Sheffield Promoter Neil Machin 

The final music was, The One and Only – by Chesney Hawkes, people then made their way back to the Stadium to raise a glass to Kenny in the bar 

It was a fitting send off for a man who loved his Speedway, Kenny, who was diagnosed with cancer of the neck and throat at the end of the 2006 season, shortly after Scunthorpe had been crowned Conference League champions for the first time. He had been undergoing a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy but, despite his health problems, had maintained a 100 per cent attendance record as Scorpions team boss throughout the last two years.

Since being diagnosed with cancer, he was determined to carry on life as normal and carry on Managing the Scunthorpe Scorpions to the very end, his condition had deteriorated in recent weeks, however, and Scunthorpe boss Rob Godfrey had revealed: “He’s been battling throat cancer and sadly it now seems the cancer is winning. Basically, they’ve given him a limited time and we’re in the final stages”. 

He Team Managed his last match on Saturday 11^th July, knowing he had just a few days to live, he did 2 laps on the back of David Howe’s bike before the meeting, to the delight and amazement of the supporters and riders all of whom wished him well.  He died on the Monday morning the 13^th  July

Alan Hodkinson