Ali Johnson's funeral held in Haltwhistle

Dec 9 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal

HUNDREDS of mourners lined the streets of a Northumberland town to pay their respects to inspirational Ali Johnson.

The former Tynedale rugby player and farmer died last week aged 28 following a stroke – four years after he was paralysed during a game when a scrum collapsed.

Ali’s father Ken, mum Sheila, brother Keith and sisters Fay and Emma – all from Coanwood, near Haltwhistle – were joined by friends and former teammates at Haltwhistle Methodist Church.

BBC presenter John Inverdale also attended, having struck up a relationship with Ali after interviewing him.

Friend David Smith paid tribute at the service, saying: “It’s a tremendous honour to be asked by the family to say a few words. Although we all mourn and miss Ali, he wouldn’t want us to be sad and down-hearted.

“He was extremely rare – brightening our lives with his twinkling smile and mischievous grin. His courage and aspiration must be an inspiration to us all.”

Mr Smith told of Ali’s natural aptitude for farming and how he won the ‘top student’ prize two years running while studying sheep management at Kirkley Hall. He said: “Although his accident in 2004 greatly limited how he could be involved in day to day work at the farm, he in no way took a back seat.

“Ali, you have greatly inspired me and, I believe, thousands and thousands of others.”

On behalf of his rugby friends, Chris Irving described him as a “big tackler” who showed “great determination” as a player, becoming a regular in Tynedale’s first team and playing for the second team at Newcastle Falcons.

He said: “It was not only a privilege to play rugby with Ali, but also an honour to have him as a friend.

“For the Falcons, the coaches have commented to say that he almost certainly would have gone further.

“He was just Ali – determined with a mind of his own through and through.

“At Tynedale, he will always be remembered as Ali – one of the lads.”

The Rev Les Hann finished the service by noting Ali’s knack of “taking a rise out of his carers … in a polite manner”.

He said: “As he was always looking to the future, I suspect he would want us to look to the future.”

Ali was 24 when he was left with no movement from the head down after breaking his neck in a Tynedale match in September 2004.

It was seven months before he returned home from hospital, by which time friends and playing colleagues had already launched a trust fund in his name.

Since then, thousands of people across the region have staged events and donated to the appeal, which currently stands at £268,000. His final interview in The Journal was in April this year, after Tynedale had installed a new disabled ramp at their ground. Ali spoke of his continuing love of rugby and determination to live life to the full.