It was with great sadness that everyone at Salford Red Devils learned the news of the passing of the extremely popular Salford stalwart, Albert Wheeldon, following a lengthy illness. Albert’s popularity was especially rife among the many youngsters whom he befriended and safeguarded, in his role of mascot organiser.
Albert was in his teens when he was first introduced to rugby league, courtesy a friend who persuaded Albert to accompany him to a training session of Salford’s Colts’ team, coached by Ivor Edwards. Although his ambitions on the field came to nought, despite his six-foot-six height, his interest in the sport had been kindled and he contented himself, thereafter, by cheering on the team from the stand, whenever his shifts as an ambulance driver permitted.
So avid a supporter did he become that other members of his family, including his sister, Pauline, his wife, Diane, and daughter, Karen, also decided to go along with him, on an equally regular basis.
It was his developing acquaintance with a member of the Salford office staff, Lou McNally, that led to his involvement in helping establish the newly contrived Junior Red Devils, who would meet, accompanied by a parent, in a room in The Willows, on training nights. One of the attractions for its members was that, after they had finished training, players would come in to meet them, and sign autographs for them, and this was even extended to a similar get-together after Sunday’s home games.
So familiar with the attendees did Albert become, that when the initial mascot organiser was unable to attend, he would ask Albert to stand in for him, which eventually, around 1990, led to his taking over the role completely – a role which carried a considerable amount of responsibility with it.
An away match, for example, would begin early in the week, with his being required to call the opposing club and make arrangements for him to meet with his opposite number, prior to the game, on the Sunday, with a vice-versa change of roles for the home games. On the day of the game, Albert had total responsibility for the child from their arrival at the ground, right through to their coming off the pitch to be restored to the custody of their parents.
His completely affable and approachable demeanour made him ideal for putting each mascot at ease, explaining what would happen, and ensuring that each one had a thoroughly enjoyable and proud experience. On occasions, there were children whose parents could not afford the replica strip in which to lead the team out onto the pitch, so he and Diane approached Salford council, and secured an amount of money from which they were able to purchase strips for them.
After a period of around twenty-five years, one by one the other clubs started to drop out of the arrangement, but Salford, under Albert’s excellent expertise, continued with it right up to the pandemic, which came at a time when he was beginning to suffer from health issues, that then terminated the thirty year period in which he had undertaken his responsibilities.
He, nevertheless, continued to be a season ticket holder, until the last three seasons, when he was confined to watching the games on tv, whilst the rest of his family still continued to support the team on his behalf, at home games.
Most sadly, Albert passed away on 21st October, with his committal at Agecroft Crematorium, on 6th November, attended by a number of Salford fans who had grown to know and greatly respect him for all he had done for the club, over the years.
He will be greatly missed.
