I echo everything said above. A great loss.

Absolutely devestating news and, as always at times like this, thoughts are with his nearest and dearest.

Graham and I have had our run ins over the years but have usually had a laugh about it at the end of the day. We have often differed on aspects of WUFC but I will be eternally grateful for his handling of my club when you look at the disasters that have befallen so many clubs in non league circles.

Just walking through the turnstiles at PVR next weekend and not seeing him around is going to be a strange experience for us all. The place will be very different without him.

Rest in peace Graham - gone but not forgotten.

Gavin

R.I.P from all the supporters at Dover Athletic FC

Still Can't take it in.
A tragic loss of a great bloke,Our deepest sympathy to all his family and friends.
Rest in Peace Graham,we're all gonna miss ya mate.

The Shulver Family

In times like this football is insignificant, but the gate and the place will not be the same without Graham.

My sympathies go to Barrie, Pam and Barry.

RIP Graham. When someone mentions Welling United you will always be a part of it

Kev.

I can't believe this sad news. Graham was a great man and i'll miss seing him around.

I can only echo what others have said.  I was gutted and stunned to hear what had happened.

Without Graham and Barrie, this club would have never existed and there are a lot of friends I would never have met.

My sympathies go to Pam, Barrie and Barry.

Hello,
We would like to say thank you all very much for all kind words and we are very graterful to you all at this very sad time. Like all of you we are still in shock. Just thank you all very much for your support.
Many thanks
Barry (jnr) and family

Very,very sad to learn this news today from the Charlton Athletic daily Bulletin.
Graham arranged work experiance for me when I was 15 and he was a top,top guy. He would get in cakes,doughnuts,ice buns,pies every lunchtime and we all sat down to eat em.He gave me a job as a steward with a few mates,he was just a lovely man.
I am extremely sad to hear this news, he would still recognise me even though I only got up a couple of times a season,or less.
Thinking of those he leaves behind.
What a fitting tribute it would be to return to the Conference next season.
Rest in peace Graham.

Absolutely devestating news, my deepest sympathies go to Graham's family.

Walking through the turnstiles at PVR will never feel quite the same again. Rest in peace Graham.

Paul Stirrups

My sincerest condolances to the Hobbins family.

Very difficult to find the words to sum up what he has done for the club over the years.

My only hope is that this now makes Ade's team talks easier for the rest of the season. Hopefully the words "Do it for Graham" will see the players respond with the type of performances that would make him proud.

Liam

I first started supporting Welling when they were playing in the London Spartan League and Graham was team manager. From that moment on which I believe is some 30 years ago I have been hooked on the club and fortunately for me and all other Welling fans it has been run by Graham and Barry insuring that it has progressed on strong foundations always performing at, or close to its potential and not living beyond its means.
The club I love has been managed by the safe hands of the Hobbins family in all of that time and I as a supporter have never had to worry whether my team is going to be around next year due to financial improprietry.
This is a club that has only ever been relegated once throughout that time.
From a personal view point has created many fantastic memories.
Has assisted numerous players on their way not only into league football but also onto the international stage.
The club continually conducts itself with an ethos of fairness and reasonableness rather than "whats in it for me" .
For all of us this and so much more I want to register mine and my fathers (Johnny come lately only started supporting when we won the Southern League) appreciation for what Graham and Barry have created and hopefully will long remain.

We also want to offer our most sincere condolences to Pam, Barrie and Barry for their tragic loss

Robert & Stan Littlefield

The people who run the premiership clubs could learn a thing or two from Graham Hobbins. He often wandered onto the terracing to stand with the fans, he knew many of their names and was always willing to make cups of tea for anyone who needed one.
The likes of Roman Abramovich would never be that in a million years.  

On behalf of The Duly Family I would like to express our sincere condolonces to The Hobbins Family and Welling United FC.

I last saw Graham a few weeks back at the Conference meeting and had the pleasure of sitting next to him,as always, enjoying being in his company.

My lasting memory of Graham was his assistance on the day Crawley Town secured the Dr Martens League title at PVR.

Graham organised the stewards to allow our fans to congregate in front of the main stand, and even arranged for us to use the PA System.

I was asked to say a few words on behalf of the club on that occasion, and remember dedicating the title to the memory of Stan Markham "Mr Crawley Town".

It would be ironic if Welling United are able to do the same at the end of the season.

A true footballing man, he will be missed by the many people whose lifes were richer for knowing him.

RIP



Steve Duly
Basingstoke Town FC

A very sad day for the wings r.i.p.
chris and sharon

The Directors, Management, Players and Staff of Erith & Belvedere Football Club were shocked and saddened to hear the news of Graham’s unfortunate death. Our paths have crossed on many occasions over the years and although he always stood up to be counted for Welling United Football Club, he always had time, and a smile, for everyone at our club. We were well looked after while sharing Welling United’s facilities and we were made to feel very welcome at Park View Road. Graham will be sadly missed and fondly remembered. Not only by us, but throughout the Non-League football community. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pam, Barry and Barrie at this sad time. John McFaddenChairmanErith & Belvedere Football Club

I wrote this poem a few years ago...It wasn't specifically about Welling United, but I guess I had them in mind when I wrote it.
It was the title that made me want to find it again.
Graham, and what he and his family built at Welling United ARE what it's all about.
Thank you Graham. You will never be forgotten.
x
Big Girls Blouse/Tracy Risby

What it's all about

There are no big stars at our club.
You won't know who they are.
You'll more than likely see the goalie at the burger bar.
There's grass between the terracing,
and cracks in all the walls,
and a slightly different meaning to
'we haven't got the balls'
The forward is a brickie.
The centre-half sells wine.
The left-back is a copper
and the managers done time.
There's no corporate entertainment.
No buffets or champagne.
...just a dogged will by all
to turn up for the game.
Through wind and rain and sleet and showers
they come to sing and shout.
We may not be the greatest,
...but we're what it's all about.

Very sad news ....my thoughts go out to all Mr Welling utd's family at this time....RIP Graham

Ian Crouch

My deepest  sympathy goes to Graham's family and close friends.

I, like all Wings fans, will never forget his work for the club over 5 decades. News of his death was devastating news. He will be fondly rememberd.

Thanks alot for sharing with us your club, Graham.


R.I.P  Graham Hobbins (Mr. Welling United). 1949 – 2007


Chris Wallis, Australia