Tributes paid to Holbeach legend Geoff Capes

‘Inspirational’ and ‘legend’ are some of the words used to describe Holbeach sportsman, Geoff Capes.

Tributes have been flooding in for the British Shot Put record holder and three time Olympian, who passed away yesterday (Wednesday, October 23) at the age of 75.

He grew up in Holbeach, where he attended Boston Road Junior School, George Farmer School and Holbeach Athletic Club, before going onto gain sporting fame - but never forgot his roots.

Geoff’s incredible career included two Commonwealth Games gold medals, two European indoor titles as a shot putter and six time champion at the Highland Games along with World Strongest Man titles.

He also went onto become a highly respected coach and a well-known budgerigar breeder.

South Holland District Council leader Coun Nick Worth is among those who have paid tribute to Geoff - who he describes as a ‘Holbeach man through and through’.

He said: “I have known Geoff for many years and while he could be outspoken he was a gentle giant with a great sense of humour. His is genuinely a legend in Holbeach and immortalised on the Holbeach Mosaic in the town Centre, along with his commentator friend Stuart Storey and Paralympian Sally Reddin who all put Holbeach well and truly on the international stage.

“Geoff was well associated with the Holbeach Weight Training Club which continues to thrive and in latter years used the Holbeach Hub for throws training for aspiring international athletes of the future.

“He was an inspiration to many and not just the greatest shot-putter of our time and World’s Strongest Man but a great coach as well. We last saw him at the Holbeach Food Festival and couple of years ago when he was judging the Strongest Man competition. He also managed to eat the biggest ice cream from Laddies I have ever seen which he thoroughly enjoyed along with the banter that followed!

“He dedicated his life to his sport and the legacy continues especially through his grandchildren who have already achieved on the International stage and of whom he was immensely proud.

“I still have fond memories of him, Stuart Storey and Sally Reddin when they took central stage in the town when the Olympic Torch Relay , attracting around 10,000 people, came through the town.

“Geoff was a true legend, a friend and a Holbeach man through and through. He will never be forgotten and will always remain an inspiration for many.”

Retired Lincolnshire Free Press and Spalding Guardian Sports Editor Ray Tucker got to know Geoff over the years.

Mr Tucker said: “When he was competing away, he would always pop into the office for a chat on his return to tell us how he got on and the people he had met. He would walk in and ask if we were going to put the kettle on.

“He was naughty but nice.”

Another achievement of Geoff’s was bringing big name stars like Sebastian Coe to Spalding for a four day athletics competition at the Castle Sports Complex.

Mr Tucker said: “We had a full athletics meet with all the events - there were hundreds of people of people down there.

“I am sure he has inspired a lot of local athletes.

“He brought the knowledge of international athletics to the area.”

Geoff had also followed the family tradition of becoming a police officer and spent ten years in the Cambridgeshire force. But he was forced to retire in order to compete in the 1980 Olympics in Moscow as Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher had banned servicemen from taking part.

Chief Constable Nick Dean has paid tribute to Geoff’s ‘warm personal style’.

He said: “Geoff Capes served as a police officer here from 1969. His stature and fitness as well as his warm personal style, led him naturally to become the force’s PT Instructor and many of the young police cadets of the 1970s remember him well with huge fondness.

“Only last week at our 50th anniversary celebrations, retired officers were talking about his time here in Cambridgeshire. Our condolences go to his family and friends.”

Geoff was also popular in South Holland as the hundreds of comments on our Facebook page has shown.

Here are a few -

Michelle Wright posted: “Geoff Capes, a true gent. When I was an athlete many years ago he wrote me a letter following an injury as he'd been to support Holbeach Athletic club wishing me a speedy recovery. He was always giving us good advice bless him.”

Russell Whitworth stated: “Have know Geoff all my life since he grew up alongside my brother and our parents worked together. Plenty of fun at weight lifting club early years. Never forgot his Holbeach roots. RIP big man.”

John Bland posted: “When police officers used to walk the beat, and my father worked at Perkins Queen Street factory as a security guard, Geoff would call into the gate box for a cuppa when he was on nights. As my father was 6ft 4" tall and big boned and a former Special Constable with Peterborough police the two got on well. Whenever I came across Geoff, he would say "I know you from somewhere" but it was my father that he must have been thinking of.”

Jenni Rayner stated: “We have a lovely picture of my daughter, then five, on his shoulder when he planted a tree at Sutton Bridge infant school. All of my children treasure the memory.”