Ahead of kick-off on Saturday at the club’s annual Armed Forces Match Day, the family of supporter Air Specialist Class 1 (Technician) Craig Agar will deliver the match ball.
Craig, a lifelong Black & White supporter and a member of the Royal Air Force Coningsby and 3 (Fighter) Squadron, sadly passed away at the age of 24 in June following a road traffic collision in Lincolnshire while travelling home to watch his beloved Airlie Birds in their Challenge Cup Quarter-Final against St Helens.
AS1(T) Agar joined the RAF in May 2017 at RAF Halton as an Aircraft Maintenance Mechanic, graduating as an Avionics Technician from RAF Cosford in January 2018, before being posted to 31 Squadron at RAF Marham.
He joined the Typhoon Force in February 2020 on 3(F) Squadron at RAF Coningsby. AS1(T) Agar has successfully completed several operational deployments, including an exemplary performance on Operation BILOXI last year.
Craig’s funeral took place at Haltemprice Crematorium on Thursday.
In a statement following his passing, Station Commander RAF Coningsby, Group Captain Billy Cooper, said: “As an entire Station we mourn deeply the loss of AS1 Craig Agar and our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family. As an aircraft technician on 3(Fighter) Squadron Craig was a highly respected professional; as a friend, colleague and team member Craig was loved by all.
“As technicians say, Craig had ‘the knack’ and that spread far beyond his engineering competency, he was a man who held a team together, got people through tough times and represented all that is good about the Royal Air Force – respect, integrity, service and excellence.”
Officer Commanding 3 (Fighter) Squadron, Wing Commander Frankie Buchler, said: “Craig was a hugely talented and enormously popular member of the 3(F) Sqn team, who had a very bright future ahead of him. We are all devastated with his loss and our thoughts are with his family during this tragic time.
“Craig was a true warfighter at heart. He would constantly give his all to ensure the jets made it into the air on time, and always did so with a massive smile on his face that brightened the mood of all around him.
“The world is a lesser place for his early departure, but his memory will live on through his family, friends, and colleagues on 3(F) Sqn; he will never be forgotten. “Tertius Primus Erit.”
Speaking to hullfc.com, Craig’s family added: “Craig loved Hull FC – all the family are Black & White supporters and Craig always attended games when he could, when at home or on leave.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t got any photos of Craig wearing his Hull FC shirt – he was normally shirtless swinging it above his head!
“Craig had an amazing sense of humour and was very well liked – whenever he came home on leave from the RAF it was like a world wind had hit the house!”
Craig’s family will be presented with the match ball by former Light Dragoon Les Binns, who will deliver the match ball into the MKM Stadium in spectacular fashion ahead of kick-off – they will then present the match ball to match official Marcus Griffiths.
Colleagues of Craig will also form part of a guard of honour, alongside local veterans, as the two sides enter the field of play.
The thoughts of everyone at Hull FC remain with Craig’s family, friends, and colleagues as they continue to mourn his untimely passing. RIP Craig.
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