To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, one usually has to be a player or a coach, or even a referee. Ken Swinburne, who died last year, was an assistant team manager, but his contribution to the sport, particularly in his native north-east England, was judged by the committee to be worthy of special commendation.
One of the game’s great unsung heroes, Ken never stepped onto the ice in skates - indeed he couldn’t skate - but he still managed to gather an impressive medals tally as he worked behind the scenes with the all-conquering Durham Wasps.
Initially a fan, he became a fixture on the Wasps' bench - and later with the many Newcastle teams - where his reputation as a Mr Fix-it was legendary.
Whether it was a piece of stick tape, some elastoplast, a lace or whatever, it's a fair bet that Kenny would have it to hand within seconds from his famous 'utility belt'. Former Durham great Peter Johnson said he could never remember a time when Ken was unable to produce something for the required 'fix'.
He started watching the Wasps with his dad when he was a youngster and soon started going to the away games as well. The hockey habit became deeply ingrained and he began helping the team, eventually becoming a full-time official and assistant to team manager, Brian Cooper (the father of players, Ian and Stephen).
He was a familiar face to almost everyone in British ice hockey and was well liked by all who knew him. He was as popular in Whitley Bay as he was in Durham, and there could perhaps be no greater tribute to the man than that.
He died in May 2005, aged 63, leaving a wife, Margaret.
Compiled with research, provided by David Hall April 2006.
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