British Cycling hall of famer and lifelong Wolverhampton Wheeler Stan Kite passed away October 23rd 2011 aged 88 years.

Stan Kite was a life member of the Wolverhampton Wheelers Cycling Club and had contributed hugely to the club's success and to cycling in general. Stan worked tirelessly, promoting cycle sport in many ways. He organised the longest ever UK professional road race from Marble Arch in London to Holyhead on Anglesey, a total of 254 miles. Stan went on to become the driving force within UK professional cycling which thrived during the 1980's: The PCA (Professional Cycling Association) having over 100 registered riders and a whole series of televised events. As secretary of the PCA Stan worked hard with riders and sponsors including the highly successful 'Kelloggs' City Centre Series.

Stan could be considered the father of the modern day professional scene in the UK and British Cycling recognised this by awarding him their highest accolade: British Cycling's "Gold Badge of Honour" for his services to the Sport. Stan was one of the fifty people inducted into British Cycling's Hall of Fame in 2009. Betty, Stan's wife passed away a few years ago and Stan leaves a son Neil and daughter Louise.

Brian Cookson OBE, President, British Cycling said "Stan Kite virtually ran Britain's domestic professional cycling scene single-handedly through the ups and downs of the 1970s and 80s, then into the early 90s, putting a massive amount of work into the BPCRA, then the PCA, then the joint Professional Racing Committee. His commitment to the cause was astonishing and he was always working to get new events, to help teams and sponsors, and to support individual riders wherever he could, even when the economic situation was grim. He truly deserved his place in our Hall of Fame and my sincere condolences go to his family and friends."

His funeral service will be on Tuesday 8th November at 1.30 pm at the West Chapel of Bushbury Crematorium. Family flowers only and donations to the Alzheimer's Society c/o Jennings Funeral Directors, 6-7, The Square, Codsall, WV8 1PT