Former Rhyl FC manager in mourning after the loss of his beloved wife

Family and friends of a much-loved and respected football manager whose wife passed away this week are rallying round with support.

Former Rhyl FC manager John Hulse is devastated following the loss of wife Margaret, better known as Margy, who has died after a brave battle with illness.

The Birkenhead couple had been together for almost 53 years and married for close on 49 of them.

John spent much of his managerial career in North Wales, with spells at Conwy United, Bangor City, as assistant to former Everton striker Graeme Sharp, and latterly Rhyl, where he was in charge between 2002-08.

Margy was always there, supporting him. The couple have two sons, Mark and Colin, who serves in the Army and lives in Cyprus with wife Eliza and their twin grandsons George and John.

Paying tribute to his wife, an emotional John said: “I have lost the most precious human being, the love of my life, my best friend, my wife Margy. I am lost, empty, missing you.

“I don’t know how I am supposed to carry on without you. But as I promised I will look after our Mark, Colin, Eliza, our precious twin grandsons.

“The world will be a poorer place without you Margy. I was so lucky, gifted and honoured to have been your husband for very nearly 49 years, 53 years together. You were the bravest person ever. I’m broken, I could carry on writing forever the things I could say about you.

“Please look over us and take care of us till we meet again and we will X RIP my wonderful, beautiful, special wife. I have loved and worshipped you and always will. Your loving husband John XX.”

After a highly successful few years managing in Sunday League football with Birkenhead-based Avenue, John had stints with Conwy and Bangor before taking over as first team manager at Rhyl in 2002.

One of the most successful bosses in the Lilywhites history, John was at the helm in the 2003/04 season when the club won the Welsh Premier League, Welsh Cup, League Cup and North Wales Challenge Cup quadruple, as well as losing in the final to Wrexham in the FAW Premier Cup.

Other trophies won included the League Cup in 2002/03 and the Welsh Cup in 2005/06.

During this period the club also enjoyed four seasons in Europe including famous home wins over FK Atlantis and FK Haka in the Uefa Cup.

John stepped down in 2008 and later became an Honorary Vice President of Rhyl FC. In 2016, he officially opened the club’s new history room at Belle Vue.

Throughout his managerial career, Margy was there providing unstinting support.

I recall towards the end of the 2003-04 season meeting Margy and John before a game. I’d brought some newspapers detailing Rhyl’s achievements for the couple to have as keepsakes.

Both were so grateful and John handed the envelope to his wife, saying: “The boss will take care of these.”

Margy came across as such a lovely person, warm and welcoming, just like John.

I also recall in July 2004, during the European Championship final between Greece and Portugal, phoning the Hulse household about a Rhyl FC matter.

Margy answered and said: “Why are you phoning now?”. I answered: “Sorry, is it a bad time?”. She replied, laughing: “No, but the Euro final is on, I can’t get John away from the telly now. You’re obviously not a Greece or Portugal fan!”.

Obviously, I called back after the game and John told me his wife could not believe that as a football writer I wasn’t watching the big final!

Rhyl FC sadly folded in 2020, but successor club CPD Y Rhyl 1879, which operates out of Belle Vue, left the following message for John this morning: “We send our thoughts and prayers to legendary former Rhyl FC manager John Hulse and his family following the recent passing of John’s wife Margy.”

Long-serving Rhyl FC official and close friend of John, Graham Cartlidge, said: “So sorry to hear your sad news, sincere condolences from my family to yours.”

All our thoughts are with you at this sad time John, in time, the pain will ease slightly and you will feel more like celebrating all those amazing years you had with your wonderful wife.

You will never be short of love and friends, God bless you now and always.