Funeral service for former Coventry player Jack Sparkes

THE funeral takes place tomorrow of Jack Sparkes, who played rugby for Coventry and Warwickshire in the 1930s and 40s and was one of the best-known darts players in the city.A wing three-quarter contemporary of Harry Walker and Norman Stock, Jack worked at Bagington Airport repairing damaged fighter planes and was a volunteer in the Coventry Rescue Squad during the Blitz.

He continued playing for a short while after the war and had trials with Rugby League club Bradford Northern before a recurring groin injury forced him to retire.

On the darts front he was a member of the highly-successful Maudsley pub team and reached the regional finals of the News of the World tournament. His local renown was such that the Birmingham Mail arranged a fun challenge match between him and an international archer.

Having worked for Standard Triumph Motor Company for many years, Jack became steward of the Gas Club in Abbotts Lane before retiring in 1987. He died peacefully at home in Wyken last week aged 89, leaving son Jeff and daughter Jackie, his children by late wife Alice.

Jack, whose lifelong motto was ‘it’s not if you win or lose, but how you play the game’ will be cremated tomorrow following a service at Cannon Hill Chapel, Canley starting at 12.45pm.