Tribute to the late Jeannie De Rycke

Jeannie with husband David De Rycke and (far left) Councillor Ron Hignett as Jack Search Way was unveiled in honour of her late father in 2019.

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Jeannie De Rycke, daughter of legendary former Linnets player Jack Search.

It was in March 2019 that Jeannie first visited our stadium for the unveiling of the adjacent retail park as Jack Search Way, the honour being conferred by Halton Borough Council.

Jeannie and her husband David had an obvious affinity to the club through Jack's association as a long-serving player and later chairman of Runcorn AFC.

The couple struck up an instant rapport with club officials, became Trust members and had since returned several times for matches, attired in the Yellow & Green.

They also watched us play at Kendal Town, just a short drive from their Cumbrian home.

For the naming ceremony, Jeannie had worn a modern-day club shirt bearing the Number 9 with which centre forward Jack had been synonymous.

With great kindness, she provided the club with a scrapbook and mementoes charting Jack's stellar career which spanned 15 seasons either side of World War Two.

These are featured in our online historical archive.

At a strapping 6ft 4in, Jack had been an imposing on-field figure for Runcorn from the 1930s, playing in the third round of the FA Cup against Preston North End.

He won multiple Cheshire League and Cheshire FA honours, representing the county.

During the war, Jack had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (RAOC) after volunteering for active service.

While serving in Sicily, he was awarded the George Medal for an act of "conspicuous gallantry".

On retirement from playing in September 1949, he spent two years as club chairman.

Jack later joined the Board of Directors at Everton but never forgot his football roots as Jeannie recounted when Jack Search Way was officially opened.

She said: "My father, Jack Search, had a lifelong affection for Runcorn Football Club - long after his playing career ended and he finished his time as chairman.

"He would always check Runcorn's results and watched their progress with great interest. He was a modest man, never looking for fame or honours, but this event would have touched him deeply.

"He would have been so proud of the huge honour paid to him by the club and the town - he'd have been walking on air!"

Jeannie died suddenly at home on Wednesday with husband David at her side.

We send our condolences to David and other family members, many of whom had joined us six years ago, after travelling from all over the country to see Jack posthumously honoured.

Jeannie had said: "I can safely say that all Search family members, who attended will from now on consider themselves friends of Runcorn and the Linnets.

"I personally will remember this day forever."

RIP Jeannie. It was a pleasure to have known you.

Family members, dignitaries, club officials and guests at the naming ceremony six years ago.