IN what had already been a sad week for sport following the death of Terry Trezise, another prominent sporting figure, Des Wengradt, also died, writes Leon Prynn.

Having latterly been a patient in Falmouth hospital, Des died at King Charles Nursing Home, Falmouth, on September 10, aged 79.

Des, a Liverpool supporter, was one of football's great characters during the 1950s when he regularly turned out for Falmouth Town.

He moved to Falmouth from Devonport Dockyard in 1949 and soon established himself locally with Falmouth Docks Football Club before moving to Falmouth Town, firstly playing at Ashfield, then Union Corner, before moving on to Bickland Park.

A tough tackling but accomplished defender, Des was in the Town side that won the South Western League Cup for the first time in 1957-58 when they defeated Newquay 1-0.

He also had the distinction of playing for Town in one of the rare games played at the Falmouth Recreation Ground. It was played against a Falmouth and District Select XI to raise some funds for the club and Town turned out in what was described then as the Birmingham City blue colours.

George Atherton, a former Cornwall player, said he never played in the same side as Des, but played against him: "I was captain of the representative side and played against Des," said George, "and he really got stuck in to me. He was a 100 per cent player and the team always got the best out of him."

Des also played in Town's first-ever game in the South Western League when they played Nanpean.

Brian Ridgeon, a Cornwall County FA councillor, said he played against Des in the Falmouth Docks inter-departmental football competition.

"Des played for the ironyard who had quite a good side," said Brian. "There was always great rivalry, but we generally got the better of them although Des would play exactly the same way as he would on a normal Saturday. "He would cover a lot of ground, was very agile, a good defender and full of energy."

Des was probably the Nobby Stiles of his day, but Brian said there was also another side to him.

"He was a really tough man to play against on the field, but off it he was completely different. He was always jovial and good company and always the first to have a go in a raffle. He would do anything to help out."

Des was always one of those players that all good sides needed, a hustler, a battler, a player who never gave up and those were the qualities that he gave to his team week in, week out.

On occasions he visited the Packet offices to bring in an old photo or had a tale to tell and his jovial attitude to life even then was very much to the fore. He may have left a few bruises on the ankles of his opponents, but they couldn't dislike him because Des also took his fair share of knocks and was one of football's great characters who played the game with a smile on his face.

His funeral service took place yesterday at Penwerris Church, Falmouth.