For 20 years, Van was the voice to listen to if you wanted to know what was happening with Leicester Tigers. Listen to BBC Radio Leicester's tribute to Van Hopkins... Van retired in 1987 to be succeeded by current commentator Bleddyn Jones. | "He was a great man and a father figure to me and he still came to Welford Road for matches, even in his last years." | | Bleddyn Jones, successor to Van Hopkins |
Bleddyn paid tribute to his predecessor: "He was a great man and a father figure to me and he still came to Welford Road for matches, even in his last years. "Van was the voice of local radio rugby reporting for over 20 years and believe it or not, would have been 90 in September. "He had a wonderful voice and was a master of the English language. The words 'Kenny's over' are still remembered by Tigers fans of a certain age." Earlier Years Van Hopkins was born in South Wales in September 1917 and attended Amman Valley Grammar School, before moving to Ogmore Vale. He attended Reading University and played for them as a centre/full back. After graduating, he served in the Army during World War II in India and Burma. Following the cessation of hostilities, he moved to Leicester to teach, working at Moat Boys Secondary Modern in Highfields before becoming headmaster at the Lancaster Boys School in Knighton. Van had the fullest of lives, becoming heavily involved in schools rugby in Leicestershire, serving as secretary and president of the Leicestershire Schools RFU and running the line in an England-Wales schoolboy international at Twickenham. It was in the mid-1960s that he joined the committee at Leicester Tigers, becoming social secretary going on to organise the club's centenary dinner at De Montfort Hall in 1980. The Voice Of Tigers Van became Radio Leicester's Tigers commentator in 1967, becoming a distinctive voice to listeners of all ages and providing a rich Welsh burr to life at Welford Road and around the rugby circuit. His commentary of the 1979 John Player Cup Final win over Moseley will never be forgotten, particularly that of Steve Kenny's last minute winning try. He lived in Rowley Fields for much of his life, continuing to be active in his last years and died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday evening. Van leaves a son Alun and daughter Sheila. BBC Radio Leicester plans a special tribute programme to be broadcast over the Easter bank holiday period. | 
