Farewell to Frank Watson – stalwart of Teesdale's pub dominoes league

A GIANT of Teesdale’s fives and threes dominoes league has died aged 77.
Barnard Castle’s Frank Watson ran the Barnard Castle and District league for 40 years. He died a fortnight ago.
The Cotherstone-born former decorator was known for his love of country music and contributed to the Teesdale Mercury for two decades.
He was captain of the Red Well Inn team for nearly 40 years after a successful three year stint at the Black Horse.
Mr Watson’s spell as secretary of the fives and threes spanned four decades before he finally passed on the baton in 2004. James Dykes took on the scoring duties and recalled his predecessor’s organisational skill.
“He was Mr Fives and Threes for many years,” said Mr Dykes. “Frank literally ran the entire thing in the days before computers – he’d keep all the scores, team sheets and knockouts in the days when it was hard work. Nowadays it’s easy.
“I remember when he was retiring. I went up to his house to get some sort of handover and the room was full of cards – he had a fantastic system. There was no way I could emulate him.”
Mr Dykes, now an umpire, recalled how Mr Watson proved a canny opponent on the cricket field.
“He played for Cotherstone Cricket Club before it folded and Barnard Castle CC,” he said. “I remember playing against him at Eggleston – if there was the possibility of an extra run he would get it somehow – even if you thought the ball was dead.”
Mr Watson was made an honorary president of the district dominoes league on retiring. League chairman Eddie Tinkler paid tribute to his impact on the game.
“He will be mainly remembered for his write-ups in the Mercury and his very dry sense of humour,” said Mr Tinkler. “He was a revered member of the committee and a kingpin of the league – I am sure the thoughts of the committee and league members are with his family at this sad time.”
Mr Dykes added: “Frank was old school, a dalesman – there was no edge on him and he called a spade, a spade.
“He got on with life – if he wanted something doing he did it – he was that kind of fellow.”
The father-of-four and grandfather taught trades to inmates at Deerbolt prison for many years while fulfilling one of his other life passions – country and western music.
Mr Watson ran “Franvale Promotions” with his late wife, Valerie, representing prominent country stars from as far away as the United States.
After Valerie passed away, he met new partner, Jean, through the country music scene and got married for a second time. Mr Watson leaves behind him four children, Paul, Conrad, Debbie and Fiona.