Andrew Jenkins remembered with love and pride at his funeral

From the pitch and the dugout: McVitie, Swinburne, Walling, Curle. Lumsdon, Murphy, Arnold, Anthony. Simpson, Devitt, Hanford, Dickenson, Dalton, Kinder, Horn, Abbott and Halpin; the latter two helped to carry his coffin.

From the boardroom: Story, Nixon, Pattison, Knighton. From the commentary box: Barnes. From another legend’s family: David Ashman, son of the great Alan. All came for Andrew Jenkins, all brought their stories, memories, fondnesses. Yet the most poignant words, naturally, came from those closest to him.

Members of his family found the strength to speak, or to sing, at his funeral. They talked of the man who had given his life to Carlisle United, and to Pioneer Foodservice, with the most personal touch. They talked about the kind man who had been cherished at home, as well as at the places of his life’s great passions.

David, his youngest son, described him as “our hard-working, fun-loving dad, grandad, husband, uncle."

“There was really no better company than my dad," he continued, "…especially on a Saturday night in Fantails, and especially when United had three points.”

The Blues were a central thread to many of the reminiscences and the funeral itself. After the cortege had visited Brunton Park and Pioneer, the service took place in Wetheral’s parish church: the place Andrew had married his beloved Diane.

In the church, there were flowers in blue and white. Two Carlisle United scarves were draped over his coffin. Each page of the order of service bore the club’s logo. On the front: Mr Jenkins was smiling proudly, the shining green pitch of Brunton Park behind him.

David spoke of his father’s humility. “When he first saw the naming of the Andrew Jenkins Stand, his initial reaction was, ‘What will they [the supporters] say about that?’

“He was very humble, never wanted statues or stands named after him. But dad, you need not have worried what people thought.”

Mr Jenkins was fondly remembered at his funeral service (Image: Andrew Jenkins funeral order of service)

That sentiment was reflected in the people who had turned up at Brunton Park to applaud his hearse as it passed that morning, and in the many who then gathered inside and outside the church to say goodbye. United had closed their doors for the day to allow many of their staff to attend the service.

David spoke of the huge number of tributes which had helped the family in their time of grief. He relayed the words commonly used to describe his dad: “true gentleman, loyal, passionate, dedicated, humble, honest, kind, legend – which he would have absolutely hated – but mostly, Mr Carlisle United.”

• READ MORE: Andrew Jenkins makes poignant final journey to Brunton Park

The man who had directed, owned, funded, supported, chaired and saved the club over an extraordinary 64-year period since 1959 was also recalled as the father giving up his time to paint the barriers on the terraces, a few moons ago. “He used to give me and some of my school friends 50p for each barrier we painted,” said David; the proceeds would later be invested in the Sporting Inn fruit machines, whilst Andrew enjoyed a pint of two of Scotch Bitter at the end of the day.

“Until recently,” added David,” he would help [former kitman] Colin Nixon on away trips, putting the kit in the changing rooms. His passion for the club was just incredible.”

David considered his father’s legacy, how he always wanted the best for United. He thanked the Blues’ new owners, the Piatak family, for “falling in love with our great club” and for their intention to take good care of it. He wished Paul Simpson and his players – who had earlier stood on the banks next to Brunton Park’s training pitch to greet Mr Jenkins’ hearse – the best for the season.

“Wear that shirt with pride. I know my dad will be kicking every single ball.”

There was a message, too, to supporters. “If dad had one wish, it would be for every single supporter to be a true Blue. Support and back the club, win, lose or draw, just as he has always done.”

David also spoke about the food business which his dad had led and chaired. He urged the “Pioneer family” to “crack on and push forward in a pioneering way, just as he would have wanted us to.”

He promised his dear, departed dad that everyone would take great care of Diane.

“Be Just and Fear Not,” concluded David. “We all love you, dad.”

Andrew's sons Graham, left and David, right, both spoke at his funeral (Image: News & Star)

The church echoed to applause, and Andrew’s life story was then relayed: from his birth on July 12, 1936, to his early love of rugby and cricket at school – “not so much football”, a line that drew laughter – and the day when, as an 11-year-old, he and a friend were urged by a member of Pioneer staff to head to Warwick Road and follow the crowd.

An addiction to Carlisle United was immediately bred. Andrew, after leaving school, went into the Army’s Catering Corps for his National Service before returning to the family business. “The Army is where he learned to swear,” his mother, Hilda, always joked…

We were told of the evening at the Coach House, Heads Nook, where he met the girl he would marry. Diane “thought he was very handsome, although quite shy and quiet.” They were wed on July 30, 1970 and ten years later, after the birth of sons Graham and David, moved from High Hesket to Wetheral, the village they called home ever since.

The private Andrew Jenkins was illuminated with stories of motor cruising on Ullswater, in a boat called Pioneer; walks with Diane and their Jack Russell, Monty; holidays to favourite places in Spain and Crete - “swimming and red wine” - and the concerts he and Diane attended: James Last, Tina Turner, Neil Diamond, Rod Stewart.

Andrew and Diane met Rod at his Brunton Park gig in 2016. The rocker donated £10,000 to the Carlisle Flood Appeal; Andrew thanked him with a Pioneer hamper, Cumberland Sausage and all.

He doted on his six grandchildren and, on the Saturday before he died, was as devoted as ever to making Diane happy, driving to three different garden centres so that she had the items she wanted.

Mourners then heard a recording of his granddaughter Lauren singing Rod Stewart’s ‘Have I Told You Lately That I Love You’ – a beautiful rendition. “Have I told you there’s no-one else above you…”

Tonia, his niece, read a poem entitled ‘Weep Not For Me’ and then Graham, his eldest son, read from the Bible, Psalm 121: “The Lord shall keep watch over your coming out and going in…”

Graham also referred to his father’s “self-effacing humility,” and his sense of humour. Addressing the people in the pews, he said, “He would probably say, ‘What are you all doing here? Half of you should be at work’…”

We heard more about his “three passions” – Carlisle United, Pioneer, Diane – and were told that “what we are really saying is that Andrew was passionate for people, for those communities, those families, for us.”

Andrew pictured with wife Diane (Image: Andrew Jenkins' funeral order of service)

There was the Lord’s Prayer, and then we heard a recording of Katherine Jenkins – who Andrew had always joked was his niece – singing, ‘Jealous Of The Angels’, before we learned of the causes he wished to support at his funeral: Eden Valley Hospice, and Hospice at Home. Abide With Me was sung and then, as he was carried back out of the church and mourners filed out behind him, Tina Turner’s ‘Way Of The World’ was played.

After a private, family burial, people walked up the hill to Fantails, and at that restaurant they celebrated him as wholeheartedly as he had sat there and toasted many a good day, shared many a hard one and throughout been such a faithful, constant, admired figure for so long. They raised their glasses high for Andrew Jenkins.

The News & Star reported on Andrew Jenkins' funeral with the kind permission of his family.