The Club are sorry to report the death of Mike Cornelia, President Warrington RUFC 1998/00, Lancashire President 2005/06, in the morning of 8th September 2024 in Warrington Hospital. Mike had been in a nursing home but became ill on the 7th and was taken to hospital where he passed away, he had been suffering from vascular dementia.

Mike played for the club for over 20 years he was an ever present 1st player from 1963 for next 10 years. He played fly-half or centre and was prolific goal kicker. During summer months he very active at Warrington Sports Club in the cricket section. After he finished playing he became involved with Lancashire County Rugby and presided over the Cup committee and the President in 2005 a just reward for all his endeavours with the county.

The Club send condolences to his sister Christine and immediate families on their loss.

Mike Cornelia's funeral - Wednesday 25th September at 12 noon at Walton Lea Crematorium, Walton, Warrington

The thoughts of Alistair Gardiner – WRUFC Captain 1969/70/71
Very sad news. Another of life's shakers and doers passed on. Still, wherever he is now he won't be alone because he will meet up again with so many old friends and I am sure that they will once more tread their field of dreams.
When I came to Warrington in 1965, Mike was one of the first people that I got to know. He was one of a little group which made me feel very welcome and we spent many an evening together putting the world to rights and helping the local breweries to disclose healthy profits.
Terry Critchley, Charlie Warburton and David Williams made up the others in that little group and we all trained and played rugby together for WRUFC-- happy times that I will never forget in the company of true friends.
I also played cricket with Mike at the Sports Club and made several cricket tours with him and the Sports Club team, so I knew him very well. He could be a bit short with people at times, including me, but we never fell out because I always knew that he was making a good point., sharp as it could often be. I have kept in touch with Mike over the years since then, apart from the last two years, and shall miss that contact, but I have my memories.

Thoughts of Dominic Hastings - WRUFC player and Minis & Junior Fixture Secretary.
Mike was a long standing member, former 2nd XI and 4th XI Captain and Warrington Sports Club President. Mike was a great servant of Warrington Sports Club, he worked incredibly hard for the club over many years. He was a long standing member of my committee for many years and I enjoyed his loyalty and support despite not always seeing eye to eye with him. I regarded him as a friend and he was a great friend to our club who will be sadly missed.