Obituary: John Robotham

Regrettably, John Robotham passed away peacefully yesterday after a long battle with prostate cancer. John had been hospitalised for 7 weeks with renal problems caused by the cancer and then spent the remainder of his life in Mary Stevens Hospice in Stourbridge.

John was awarded British Cycling's Gold Badge of Honour for services to the Sport having served as a British Cycling Commissaire & later as a UCI National Commissaire officiating at many events throughout Britain including the Commonwealth Games held at Meadowbank Velodrome in Edinburgh in 1986 and World Championships held at Cleveland, Leicester and Manchester Velodromes. John also organised many local and national road, track & cyclo cross events for Dudley MBC & Halesowen A&CC.

John began his long career in the Sport of Cycling after encouraging his sons into racing joining the Velo Club Central in 1968 and later the Halesowen A&CC in the early 70's. He became more and more involved with in the Club at Halesowen as a Coach & Mentor for many of the Members and then became very active within the organisational side of the Club serving many years on it's Committees becoming Chairman and later a Trustee of the Club.

John also helped set up and became heavily involved with the West Midlands Centre of Excellence which went on to help many Riders within the area to race at a higher level both Nationally and Internationally.

His many years as a Track Official also lead him into imparting his vast knowledge and experience onto other potential Commissaires at local & national levels on behalf of BC. He later encouraged many of the successful candidates into becoming UCI International Commissaires.

The family of John Robotham would like to thank everyone for their kind messages and cards of condolence during this difficult time. The funeral arrangements have been set for Wednesday 27 March 2013. The funeral cortege will leave Halesowen Athletic & Cycling Club, Manor Abbey Sports Ground, Manor Way, Halesowen, West Midlands B62 8RW at approximately 15:30. The service will be held at Rowley Regis Crematorium, Powke Lane, Rowley Regis, West Midlands B65 8DA at 16:00. Those wishing to join the Family and Club Friends to raise a glass in memory of John Robotham would be most welcome to join them back at Halesowen Athletic & Cycling Club immediately following the service.