Sad news in the form of a family bereavement is hard to take at any time of the year, but it is doubly difficult when it occurs during the festive season that is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration in families.

Our membership, and the broader public, will be dismayed to hear of the untimely and sudden death of a sterling supporter of Carlisle RFC, Mike Connon. Mike passed away suddenly during the early hours of 27th December, leaving behind a loving family distraught with grief, his loving wife Aly, sons Max, Grant and Brett, along with the wider family circle.

Mike was a well known and respected member of the Carlisle business community for many years. In addition to family and business, Mike took a great interest in the affairs of Carlisle RFC, supporting his three talented sons through from early years rugby, taking justifiable pride in their development and respective achievements. Mike, pictured above with (from left to right) Max, Brett and Grant could always be found, along with Aly and other family members on a touchline supporting and encouraging the team that whichever son was playing for, A close family unit as the picture infers, supporting Brett playing representative rugby for Ireland, as did Grant before him. And now as we all know, Brett is playing a leading role in the rise of Newcastle Falcons up the Premiership table.

Carlisle Rugby Club have many reasons to be grateful for the interest Mike showed in the club along with his wife Aly. Their generosity at events and functions they sponsored at the club were always greatly appreciated.

The funeral will be on Monday, 11th January at Carlisle Crematorium, but the time is still to be finalised and will be published in due course. Due to the current social conditioning issues, access to the chapel will be restricted. However, there will be opportunities for folks to pay their respects; the family appreciate that having played and coached at the club, the Warwick Road ground was one of Mike's favorite places of relaxation and the cortege will travel that way en route to the crematorium. Friends will also be able to line the driveway and the outer reception area at the crematorium.

Farewell Mike, and when you leave on your final journey, be assured that family, friends, business and rugby colleagues will doubtless recall their own thoughts of a man they chose to respect and admire.