Death of lifelong Leeds United fan who was VIP guest at centenary match

Tributes have been paid after the death of a lifelong Leeds United fan who got the VIP treatment at the club's 100th anniversary match.
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Great-grandad Jack Hannan, 92, died at St Gemma's Hospice in Moortown on Saturday December 5 after being diagnosed with Covid-19.

Former police officer Mr Hannan, of Moortown, had also recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

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Leeds United invited Mr Hannan to be a VIP guest at the club's centenary match against Birmingham City last October.

Jack Hannan pictured when he was an officer with West Yorkshire Police.Jack Hannan pictured when he was an officer with West Yorkshire Police.
Jack Hannan pictured when he was an officer with West Yorkshire Police.

United heard how lifelong fan Mr Hannan had not been to a Leeds game for a number of years because he didn't want to leave his wife Margaret’s side as she had been ill.

Three generations of the Leeds United supporting Hannan family enjoyed a meal in an executive box at the centenary match, courtesy of Richard Lye of O’Connor Utilities.

He saw his first Leeds game aged 11 in 1939 and was a season ticket holder in the West Stand for almost 20 years in the 1960s and 1970s.

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Mr Hannan was at Wembley for the FA cup finals against Arsenal and Sunderland in 1972 and 1973 respectively.

Jack Hannan pictured with his son Tony and grandson  Harry Hannan ahead of the  VIP day at Leeds United's centenary game versus Birmingham in October 2019Jack Hannan pictured with his son Tony and grandson  Harry Hannan ahead of the  VIP day at Leeds United's centenary game versus Birmingham in October 2019
Jack Hannan pictured with his son Tony and grandson Harry Hannan ahead of the VIP day at Leeds United's centenary game versus Birmingham in October 2019

Mr Hannan leaves wife Margaret, four children, seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

His son Tony, 54, said: “One of our dad's biggest loves was Leeds United and we managed to take him to the 100 year anniversary match at Elland Road last year.

"Dad got to see his beloved Leeds United promoted back to the Premier League this year and we have watched every match at home.

"He was overjoyed we got back to where we belong."

Jack and Margaret Hannan on their wedding dayJack and Margaret Hannan on their wedding day
Jack and Margaret Hannan on their wedding day
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Mr Hannan's son John, 57, said: "He was the best father in the world. The whole family is devastated by his loss."

Mr Hannan, who was born in Bradford, on July 22 1928, served in the army from age 18 to 21 for his national service and was posted to Singapore.

After being demobbed he joined West Yorkshire Police and was with the force for around ten years.

He met his future wife Margaret - who was also a police officer - at a police ball in the summer of 1957 and they were married in 1958

Jack Hannan pictured ahead of Leeds United's centenary match v Birmingham City in October 2019Jack Hannan pictured ahead of Leeds United's centenary match v Birmingham City in October 2019
Jack Hannan pictured ahead of Leeds United's centenary match v Birmingham City in October 2019
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In the early 1960s Mr and Mrs Hannan bought and ran a newsagents shop on Charlton Street in East End End Park.

They sold that in 1968 and bought a Post Office on Easterly Road.

In 1990, they bought a Post Office on Brudenell Road in Hyde Park before retiring when Mr Hannan was 76 and Mrs Hannan was 67.

In the late 1970s, Mr Hannan ran a junior football team called Park Avenue, who played on the former Lawrence Oates Middle School playing fields in the Carr Manor area of Leeds.

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A funeral service for Mr Hannan will be held at Lawnswood Crematorium from 11.50am on Thursday December 17.

The service is family only due to Covid restrictions

People wishing to pay their respects are being asked to stand outside the crematorium grounds.

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