Tributes paid to former Blackpool FC announcer

Blackpool FCs former stadium announcer Chris Hull has died aged 64

Chris Hull, who also worked as a funeral director in Poulton, died yesterday aged 64.

Mr Hull was the stadium announcer at Bloomfield Road for 28 years until 2006 and led a fund-raising campaign to have a statue of 1953 FA Cup Final hat-trick hero Stan Mortensen put up outside the ground.

In a tribute posted online, his son Chris Hull said: “(He was) the most incredibly generous and caring man I will ever know.

“He would literally give you his last penny. He was just coming to the end of his holiday in Italy with my mother and had just visited Capri and was smiling until the end.

“Anyone that knew him will know that you could not find anyone as giving and full of fun and laughter.

“From his humble council house beginnings on First Avenue in Poulton to the most honest, inspirational and self-deprecating success...an incredible journey and life well-lived.

“He made a positive impression on the world everywhere he went and life will not be the same without him.

“Please feel free to share to his thousands of friends and please recall your favourite memories of him. It will offer my mum and sister Claire – and anyone who liked or loved him – all great comfort. I couldn’t be prouder he was my dad.”

Mr Hull, director at C T Hull Funeral Services, in Birch Way, Poulton, worked at the club until 2006 before retiring and being replaced by current stadium announcer Tony Parr.

He played a key role in securing funds for the Stan Mortensen statue outside the ground and saw the highs and lows for the club across three decades.

In a tweet Blackpool FC said: “Blackpool FC is saddened to learn of the passing of former PA announcer and supporter Chris Hull Snr. Condolences to his family.”

Fans paid their own tribute to one of football’s “good guys.”

Glenn Bowley, chairman of the Blackpool Supporters’ Association said: “He was brilliant. You could not meet a nicer person. He lived and breathed everything tangerine.

“He set up the kids’ club 20 years ago, always gave out balloons to kids and played a big part in creating the Stan Mortensen statue.

“He was just a true gentleman – he really, really was.

“I feel for his family, his son Chris, his daughter Claire and wife Kate. My thoughts are with them.”