The Funeral Will Take Place at Lodge Hill Crematorium

Bill Coffey who sadly passed away on the 1st January 2011 and who will sadly be missed

The Funeral will take place at Lodge Hill crematorium

Monday 24th January at 1pm.

Fond memories of Bill

Many judo people might not connect to the name of Ruddy Coffey, who was affectionately known throughout the judo fraternity; as Bill Coffey. I am not sure how his name changed; but people in judo would only have known him as Bill.

The Coffey family, who lived in the Ladywood area of Birmingham, has all been hard-working people throughout their lives, but they have always found time for their sport. Bill had two brothers who were both excellent footballers; and their loving sister Veronica, who was an outstanding netball player. Bill’s sport was judo, where he was an excellent competitor and later became a dedicated judo coach.

If we look back on his life he was probably one of the first people in the Midland Area to become involved in judo. This being probably around the early 1960’s but he continued with judo whilst completing his National Service in the Royal Air Force (RAF). Bill had been one of the longest serving members of the British Judo Associations, Midland Area Judo Committee. Throughout his life, he has always been dedicated and practically gave his whole life for his passion for judo.

Bill had been involved setting up many judo clubs in the Midland Area, as he was always keen to promote judo. It is known that Bill had coached judo at many clubs in the Birmingham area, his first club I believe was the Birmingham Athletic Institute, were he first started his judo career. He also practiced at Handsworth judo club, which practiced on a Sunday morning and probably there was a night time practice as well. There were other judo clubs that Bill started such as: Ladywood, Newtown, Bluecoat School, and the School for the Blind. Many of these judo clubs would not have existed today, if it wasn’t for Bill’s enthusiasm and dedication in helping them to grow and develop. I am sure there are probably more clubs that other people might know about, which he had been involved with throughout his judo career.

When Bill became a judo coach you could always see him transporting youngsters from one competition to another. He would turn up with a car full of probably 5 or 6 judo players (which in the late 60’s and 70‘s was seen as the norm).

It will seem very strange to be at a judo competition and not see Bill. In the early days of judo, you could always see Bill running to catch the bus with his duffle bag on his back. He would be visiting various clubs in the Birmingham area for his judo practice, every night of the week. You could call him one of the first pioneers of judo in the Midland Area.

The Midland Area Committee will sadly miss his support and dedication; I know some people will only have known Bill in his later years. However, I can assure you Bill was always there at Midland Area; and BJA National Judo Competitions, he would be there helping to transport and moving judo mats before the event and then clearing up and returning the mats to the different judo clubs that had loaned them. In his later day’s he became Midland Area control safety officer for judo events throughout the Midland. He was responsible for co-ordinating and controlling the mat areas at competitions. Even though Bill had only just come out of hospital he still managed to struggle to be there doing his job at the last “2010, Heart of England” judo competition. That was his sheer dedication for judo, for Bill was 100% reliable and would never let people down.

There will be many judoka throughout the Midland Area who will have their own special, happy fond memories of Bill, especially the artful twinkle in his eye and his famous smile. However, you had better watch out if you upset Bill, as we all were aware that he could be firry at times. He was one of the most trust worthy and honest people you could meet, and he would do anything humanly possible to help people out and he always led by example.

It will be strange to be at competitions and not seeing him there, but he will always be there in our conversations and memories.

I would like to offer the sincere condolences of the Midland Area Judo Committee and that of the Midland Area, British Judo Association to Veronica and Eric, Bill’s Sister and Husband and their family and relatives?

Bill R.I.P.

Malcolm Collins

Midland Area Judo Committee