There were so many people keen to offer tributes to Harry. Forgive us if we are having to restrict it to just five . .

 

Few people knew Harry better than Kevin Collier. As part of the family, due to his relationship with Harry’s niece Anna, and their son Elliott, Kevin was also Harry’s assistant trainer in 2012-2014.

He said: “We had some great dogs and some great times. Looking back, I particularly loved Saturdays. We would do the dogs in the morning. Rita would make some lunch while Harry went through the paper picking his horses for the afternoon.

“I’d go to the bookies and put the bets on. We’d watch the horses on Saturday afternoon and then set off racing. They were some of the best times of my life.”

 

As a keen greyhound man, Ian Lavery knew of Harry but hadn’t met him until Harry enlisted the MP’s help for his Save Our Brough campaign. They hit it off straight away, Ian owned a number of open racers trained by Harry and they remained friends for over 30 years.

Ian said: “As a trainer and breeder, Harry was just a genius; his record is outstanding. When Harry bred a litter of pups, you almost expected every one to make it and go on to open class. They obviously weren’t all world beaters, but they always made it to some level. It was always so exciting when they went to the track for their first trial knowing they could be anything.

“As a person, everybody liked Harry and he treated everyone the same. He would give anyone his time, whether they were a wealthy owner, or someone who had just started training and wanted advice.

“He was so knowledgeable and thoughtful in anything he said. In all the years I knew him, I never heard Harry raise his voice to anyone.

“We had so many great times over the years. If I had to choose one highlight it would probably be Blue Artisan’s win in the Juvenile at Wimbledon.

“Because of the distance, Harry and Rita rented a fabulous luxury flat in London overnight. There was a huge bed for the dog and the rest of us sat there drinking vintage champagne until the small hours.

“There were disappointments too. The biggest was probably Pond Neptune breaking a hock in the Puppy Derby at Monmore. He was a fast as any we had.

“Greyhound racing in the North East owes a great deal to Harry and I was speaking earlier today to Rachel Corden to see if we might arrange a memorial night in a few weeks time. It sounded quite positive.”

 

Jimmy Fenwick said: “Harry was highly thought of, not just by the North East greyhound community but all around the country.

“From his Pond prefix there were so many stars, Hurricane, Mosquito, Tornado, Pavarotti to name but a few and he knew how to get the best out of them. There were many others too.

“Harry was always good to me. When Ice On Fire won the All England Cup, Harry and Rita were gave us the biggest hugs, they were just so pleased for us.

“He was class.”

 

Jimmy Wright said: “When I came down from Scotland, Harry Williams was my target because as far as I was concerned, he was the best in the North East. I can pay the man no bigger compliment.

“When we did started to get a bit of success against him, he behaved just the same, just as polite, as when he was winning. “

“Good dog men recognise a top man and they all knew Harry was one. He had quality in everything he did.”

 

Kelly Macari worked for Harry for four years before becoming a trainer in her own right. She has treasured memories of that time.

She said: “It was just wonderful. There were so many good dogs and I spent a lot of time in Harry’s company as we drove up and down the motorways. The only downside was his taste in music. Classical!

“I learned such a lot about greyhound training. One of the main things that stuck in my mind was how well he fed his dogs. I had never seen anything like it.”

Although there was plenty of success with the likes of Zigzag Kit and Laser Beam, Kelly’s particular favourite was a dog called Wee Bobby, bought for around £500 he reached the Derby quarter finals. He finished last with all six runners covered by two lengths.

“Bobby was going well into the third bend and was crowded out. I really thought the world of the little dog.”

Kelly can recall Harry’s intelligence and eloquence, speaking up strongly and great authority whenever greyhound racing was criticised. But there are many funny memories too.

“Like the time he tried to speed up cutting the grass with the petrol carton and ended up setting his hair on fire.”

When Kelly set up as a trainer on her own, Harry helped her in every way possible including sending her some greyhounds.

There would be some good spirited banter when the kennel girl later turned over her old boss in Category One finals.

Kelly’s final memory of Harry is one that reduces her to tears in the telling. . . .

She said: “I last saw Harry and Rita in a restaurant in Newcastle about a month ago. It was lovely to see him again and he told me how proud he was of everything I had achieved . . . . .”

 

Arrangements are still to be made for Harry’s funeral. We will publish them as soon as they are available.