Sunderland Harrier Bob Laidler, a multi veterans’ British champion in the throws during his 70s and into his 80s, has died at the age of 89.

The Fulwell man won titles in the discus, javelin, shot and hammer. He took his last title in 2008 at the age of 80 when he won the shot with a distance of 8.13m. During his throws career, he set British records in 1998 in the M70 discus with a throw of 30.07m and the javelin in 1999 with 29.69m.

The Bede Grammar School student joined Sunderland Harriers during the
1950s as a useful sprinter. He was also a talented boxer and footballer. He won a county boxing title as a schoolboy and also played for Sunderland reserves a couple of times as a goalkeeper before playing on the outfield for local teams.

He was head draughtsman at J. L. Thompsons and at Doxford shipyards and was a familiar sight at the Cat and Dog steps at Roker where he trained winter and summer on the sands.

Bob’s funeral was at St Andrews Church on Monday 3rd July.