Leeds president Harry Jepson dies, aged 96
Monday 29 August 2016 16:54, UK
Leeds Rhinos president Harry Jepson has died at the age of 96, the club have announced.
Jepson's lifelong association with rugby league earned him an OBE, having taken up the sport as a fan of local side Hunslet Parkside in 1920.
After serving in the Second World War, Jepson coached the under-age groups at Hunslet and was eventually seconded to be the club's secretary.
He took up an administrative role with Leeds in the 1960s to assist chairman Jack Myerscough, going on to manage a Colts tour to Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Jepson was one of the Rugby Football League's inaugural directors when they were named in 1983 and he became football director at Leeds in the mid '80s, using his extensive knowledge and contacts to sign players such as Australia internationals Eric Grothe, Wally Fullerton-Smith and Peter Tunks, while the likes of Andrew Ettingshausen, Tony Currie and Peter Jackson subsequently went on to represent their country.
He chaired the council meeting that discussed the offer to implement Super League and was heavily involved in the formation of French club Paris Saint-Germain, who entered the competition on its launch in 1996.
Harry had a wonderful life and touched the lives of so many others.
Jepson was president of Leeds and a noted ambassador for the club and the sport.
He was also chairman of the Rugby League Conference, the competition which helped spread the game throughout England, Scotland and Wales in the summer, the sides in the Premier Divisions contesting the Harry Jepson Trophy.
Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "Harry had a wonderful life and touched the lives of so many others.
"He knew people who had been involved in the game since 1895. He was a rugby league legend, despite never playing the game and his passing is so sad."
RFL chief executive Nigel Wood added: "Harry Jepson was one of rugby league's national treasures.
"He had a lifelong passion for the sport and wonderful and vivid recollection of the great players and deeds of the past. He was a friend to everyone."
