There is widespread sadness in the North West footballing community, after the passing of long-time Finn Harps board member Derek Wilkinson.
A devoted Finn Harps fan and financial supporter, Derek also ran a very successful car dealership in Bray, County Wicklow before retiring in 2020.
Despite moving to Bray in the early seventies, Derek would often make the long journey to follow his beloved Harps around the country – or up to Finn Park on a Friday night like so many others – over the following five decades.
Derek was a long-time fixture on the board of Finn Harps, serving as the club’s Chairman for many years, as well as the club’s delegate to the FAI.
Always a man to roll up his sleeves, Derek’s opinion was sought by many down through the years.
No job was too big or too small for Derek when it came to Harps and he sold club lottos by the handful as quickly as he would give his opinion on serious club matters.
His final role on the board came as Vice-Chair alongside then-Chairman Sean Quinn, until he vacated his position in 2021.
Derek returned to his native Creeslough where he lived in recent years.
He was a welcome face in the crowd and in the tea room at Finn Park recently when Finn Harps welcomed Bray Wanderers to Finn Park, two clubs close to his heart.
Finn Harps chairman Ian Harkin said Derek Wilkinson was a huge servant to the club and it was the grit of people like him who have kept the club going.
“Finn Harps and the league of Ireland have lost a huge servant to the game, for over twenty years Derek served our club as delegate in the FAI and his work was rewarded with life membership.
“At Finn Harps, Derek served on the board for as long as I could remember, a life servant from the 70s right through to recent times.
“In the period of time Finn Harps have been in the league over 12 clubs have folded, our survival on many an occasion has been down to the work and determination of his and people like him.
“Their grit is the very fabric of our club. Our thoughts are with his family and friends in Creeslough and Bray at this time.”
Mr Wilkinson’s funeral details have yet to be announced.
