Many people attended the funeral service held in Brigg for Keith Smith - the well-known sportsman, coach and manager - yesterday morning (Friday, September 16).
It was followed by get-togethers at Elsham Golf Club, where he was a keen member, and later at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Brigg town centre - latterly Keith's favoured licensed venue.
Mine hosts reserved Keith's old spot at the front of the premises, overlooking the Market Place, for those who came to share memories of Keith - particularly his lengthy playing and team management eras with Brigg Hockey Club and the Colts' section which he co-founded, and his many appearances for Brocklesby Park Cricket Club and enjoyable rounds at Elsham Golf Club where he was a member for almost 50 years.
The get-together in the Lord Nelson started around 2.30pm, and the above picture shows family members and some of Keith's many friends some three hours later when memories were still being shared.
A wicket-keeper/batsman at Brigg Grammar School, Keith still holds the Brocklesby Park club record for the most dismissals taken behind the stumps.
The eulogy at the funeral service was delivered by his sons Chris and Nic (former Brigg sportsmen) who outlined Keith's sporting interests, which included cheering England's footballers to their famous victory in the World Cup final at Wembley in 1966.
Keith also supported Scunthorpe United through good times and bad. He often recalled the contributions made in the club's second-tier days by renowned centre forward and goalscoring ace, Barrie Thomas, in the early 1960s.
Mention was made of Keith's love of local sports' social side through after-match drinks - over many years - at various local venues including the Angel Hotel, Queens Arms, Black Bull and White Hart.
Above all, Keith was a devoted family man.
Also pictured here is the order of service for the funeral, which was arranged by Jason Threadgold's company, of Old Courts Road, Brigg.
Donations were forthcoming in Keith's memory for Lindsey Lodge Hospice and The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
We were among the first mourners to arrive for Keith's funeral yesterday and took this picture showing copies of the notice of service set out in the pews prior to the service.
