THE GREATEST wrestling supporter of all has died, writes Roger Robson.

Bob Clark, of Grayrigg, was a promising wrestler until the age of 20 when he had a serious accident, which damaged his arm.

For the remaining 72 years of his life he was a ceaseless advocate for wrestling.

He and his wife Dorothy were roped in to help organise events and Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling became the focus of their lives.

Each year they travelled an average of 8,000 miles to help the sport, transporting wrestlers all round the north Dorothy would run the table with notorious efficiency, while Bob would judge or commentate.

For 25 years he was president of the Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling Association. When he stood down in1999 Jim Bland asked: "How long has it been, Bob?"

"Oh, endless," said Bob This ready humour was always to the fore when he had a microphone in his hand and a crowd round a ring.

I must have heard his mushroom joke a thousand times, but I still laughed every time. As wrestlers compose themselves between bouts, they often wander about looking at the ground in front of them. "It's nee good looking for mushrooms theer lada's already checked."

One hefty wrestler lay prone after a fall: "My, he's as tall lying down as he is stannin up."

The further he was from Grayrigg the stronger his accent seemed to get, but wherever he was he held a crowd in his hand and through all his commentaries shone his love for the sport.

I first remember Bob Clark in 1961 when I travelled from Northumberland to compete at Grayrigg Show. Everything was done to make me feel welcome in a strange country.

My last meeting with Bob was at the Academy Shield at Kendal Rugby Club in December when he ignored bad health to be there.

Everything Bob did was full of zest and skill: farming, stick-dressing, bowlingbut chiefly he will be remembered for a life dedicated to Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling.