From the SVBT , also some other bits on bobs on bexley times site today.


Welling star in Hobbins pledgeeditorial@islingtonexpress.co.uk-->
22 February 2007 WELLING midfielder Jamie Day believes the best way to commemorate Graham Hobbins is to put the club back where he did - in the Conference.

Day was among several Wings first-team members who attended Hobbins' cremation in Falconwood on Tuesday afternoon

And with the Park View Road club still in contention to go up, either automatically or via the play-offs, Day believes that would be an apt way to mark the former owner's contribution.

"We would like to win the league but if we can get into the play-offs and get promoted then that would be a fitting way to honour Graham's memory," he said.

Hobbins, as evidenced by the turnout at his cremation, was extremely popular among the football fraternity and local community, and his positive influence even spread into the Wings' dressing room.

Day added: "He was a fun character to be around. He always had a smile on his face and liked to have a joke.

"Even if we lost, he would come up to the back of the coach after the game and have a chat with the lads. Sometimes he would not be happy, but he would always find some way of making us smile."

It was not just with his jovial nature that Hobbins made people smile though. His knowledge of the runners and riders on any given race day also spread a lot of happiness.

"He used to give me some horse racing tips and they will be sorely missed," Day said.

"He would only give them to me if he knew that we were going to have a chance of winning. I would get a little phone call in the morning and he would tell me to put some money on a certain horse. In fairness, we won most of the time.