By noibla
October 13 2017

On the occasion of the recent home game against Fylde r.f.c. a wake was held at Brickfields in honour of Gary Lovell one time Plymouth Albion player who was something of a larger than life character both on and off the pitch and someone who many many ex players and supporters can relate too. None more it seems than his fellow player the present owner of Albion Dave Venables who had a close friendship with Gary. The wake was well supported with a mix of  about 140 ex players and friends present in his honour and the eulogy was read out by Kevin Norris shown in the above photo.            

Garry's daughter Hanna then said a few words from his family before a toast was made in Garry's memory. 

After which an old friend of Garry and his family, Martin Cole the well known saxophonist was asked to play. When Garry ran the Kings Arms pub in Tamerton Foliot Martin played there many times.

When I checked the internet for Martin I found out that he is no ordinary muscian as he runs his own quartet and has a very impressive c.v. to his name having among other distinctions played on the Q.E.2 as the lead alto player, appeared on sound tracks for the BBC radio and television, appeared at many jazz festivals and has also played at Ronnie Scotts club, the 606, the Bulls Head and many others. So a very accomplished player indeed and a pleasure to listen to. 

The club shirt above was a lovely touch I thought depicting the shirts that were worn at the time Garry was playing.

GARY LOVELL R.I.P.

Discussion started by Unofficial Plymouth Albion (IP Logged), 13/10/2017 11:55

Unofficial Plymouth Albion
13/10/2017 11:55

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Mick Taylor
04/01/2019 18:52

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Unofficial Plymouth Albion
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Just stumbled across this post. I knew Gary when I was growing up in starcross. His dad Dennis was a policeman I think. They kept a boat at Starcross and we had some happy times messing about on the river. We also trained at Exeter harriers together. Me discus and Gary the shot putt. Very sad news. Rest in peace old playmate!

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Commando joe
06/01/2019 09:51

Hi Mike,
Remember this day well, many local and visiting friends of the Big Man paying their respects to Gary. Had a few “contacts” on the pitch playing against him for Devonport Services,great player great man. RIP Garry.
Mr Sax is Martin Jan Dale aka Simply Sax ex Royal marine Band Master. Regards

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JULYAN PAUL
03/03/2020 17:24

Gary was previously at Hele's School in Exeter, in the same second row as his great friend / rival John Scott. Now that was an U14 second-row to contend with! I am proud to say I was team captain when he came to Devonport High School in 1969 and helped turn an already leading school XV into the dominant schoolboy force locally. (And, yes, his dad, Dennis, was in the police, as Mick remembers.)

Cheers Gary, mate.

Ju Paul

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Martyn Lowrey
10/12/2020 18:57

Navy vet played against Gary a fair few times in the early 70s. An absolute beast on the field a real gentleman off it

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