There is a huge void that will never be filled again at the Salford City Roosters. The passing of Alfrieda Kindon on Friday morning has left the club bereft and devoid of its driving light that has been there to guide its members, players and administrators for over 40 years – ever since the club’s formation as Eccles Rugby League Club.
I have been lucky enough to have known, worked with, socialised and celebrated with Alfrieda and her constant support, husband Rod, through must of that time, and I would guarantee that there are not many who have been involved in the Amateur game (Community as it is now called) who have not been touched by her passion and commitment for the game throughout those 40 plus years.
There are others who will be better placed to talk about Alfrieda’s time at Eccles and the Salford City Roosters, but when I was a player, Eccles was always a club we loved to visit. The games were tough, but the hospitality afterwards was first class and the club most welcoming with Alfrieda and Rod always acting as mine hosts. Even when I had my young children in tow, she’d keep an eye on them whilst I played and then ensure they all got a pie afterwards, which they loved!
But it in her spell firstly as the Eccles representative when they joined the National Conference League back in 1994, and then when she was elected to the Management Committee as a Clubs Representative in 2006 that I can really stress the important role that she played in helping guide the League to the success I feel it is today.
Alfrieda never put the interest of her own club above the collective, and always battled the corner for the clubs as a whole within a competition that she supported wholeheartedly. She was always polite, but firm, and certainly didn’t take any truck from other members of clubs or the committee who may not have been showing such an overarchingly beneficial view at the time.
To me, she was always the voice of reason, and a person with whom I could sound out ideas for a full and honest response on how good, bad or indifferent they may be, and was always willing to state the NCL case when other organisations sought to present a less than flattering case.
When Salford City Roosters struggled, she was honest enough to inform the committee that they would be better regrouping elsewhere – something that has been rare within other clubs throughout the League’s existence – but I was glad that she accepted my offer to stay on as an independent, where her advice as always, was sound and highly valued.
Last year, Alfrieda suffered a cruel illness that left her and Rod devastated. But as always she refused to give in, and battled on, no doubt with one eye on what as going on both at the Roosters and in the NCL, as brief conversations she had with all of us as members of the committee, can confirm.
It has undoubtedly been tough for Alfrieda and probably even more so for Rod over the past months, but I know Rod has been strengthened by the number of messages of support and sympathy that he has received since Alfredia’s passing.
Rugby League has lost one of its greatest volunteers. A person who gave her all for the sport she loved and her beloved Eccles/Salford City Roosters club, without ever demanding anything in return – something that in the current day is seemingly becoming less and less, and the sport is becoming impoverished because of it..
Everyone whose lives she has touched will be better for that connection, but now saddened by her passing.
Her lasting legacy which sadly she did not see completed with be the fantastic new clubhouse which will be a shining light for the local community now and for generations to come
Rest in Peace Alfrieda Kindon – it has been an honour to know you – you are one of the truly great people in our game.
Trevor Hunt
NCL Chair and Community Board member
