Former Wolves goalkeeping hero and Welsh international Mark Kendall has died suddenly of a suspected heart attack after a long walk, aged just 49.
The father-of-two collapsed in the kitchen of his home in South Wales late last night. Paramedics tried in vain to revive him.
Kendall, a popular and highly-respected keeper signed by Graham Turner in 1986, had yesterday enjoyed a 12-mile walk near his home and was chatting with his wife Gaynor just moments before falling ill.
Friend and former Newport County and Wolves colleague Nigel Vaughan, now Academy director at Shrewsbury Town, was told the news at 2am by Steve Lowdnes, who played with the pair in their days at Newport.
He said: “Mark went for a 12-mile walk round Blackwood near his home yesterday and later went to pick up his wife from a night out. They were chatting in the kitchen at 11pm when Gaynor heard a thud, looked round and Mark was on the floor.”
His wife, daughter Lori and son Lee, also a professional goalkeeper, were today with relatives.
Post your tributes to Mark using the form below.
123 Comments
My full condolences to Mark’s family. I always admired him as a keeper and as a man.
One of our finest !! Met Mark on a few occassions in Telford - a true gent !! Very sad news this !!
RIP A wolves legend!
our condolences to marks family, one of the greatest characters to have played for wolves, his ball juggling skills were superb! and im sure he still holds the record for the most clean sheets for a season by a wolves keeper, rest in peace.
Some great memories of the fourth division. RIP Mark.
At times like this, football doesn’t matter.
My thoughts are with his family
good man great keeper for the Wolves……
a very sad loss
I am too young to remember him playing, however always very saddening to hear a Wolves legend pass away, particularly one so young. My thoughts are with his family!
TOP GUY WILL BE SADLY MISSED BY ALL TRUE WOLVES FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RIP MK, a true gent and a great keeper.
My thoughts are with his family.
R.I.P TO A GREAT WOLVES KEEPER.CONDOLINSES TO ALL HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!
My sincere condolences to Mark’s family he was in true Wolves traditions very good goalkeeper.
I feel very sad by this news. When I first started going to watch the wolves he was a great goalkeeper for us. My thoughts go out to his family.
Very sad, He was an excellent keeper. condolences to his family
Gutted to hear this news, he was number 1 at Wolves when i was growing up, he was and always will be a legend.
terrible,terrible news.
he was a big part of the team when we came back from the lower divisions.
RIP.
mark you was one of the best sadly missed
RIP Mark.
Some of my happy memories stem from the time when Mark played, he enjoyed so much banter with the fans. Sincere Condolences to his family
What terrible news, puts Sunday in perspective. A great keeper for both the clubs I followed as a kid.
My favourite goalkeeper in a Wolves shirt. Always took the opportunity for banter with fans. Sad, sad loss. Thoughts go out to his family.
So sad to hear this news, when things like this happen football comes a very poor 2nd place.
RIP Mark
I am devastated by the news! Kendo was a great keeper on our way back through the leagues, a real joker & a true gent!!! RIP Kendo - my sincere condolences to his family.
Met him several times and he was a funny bloke.Bradford in the cup he wore a Comic Relief Red Nose.We lost.
a Sad loss.
Mark Kendall was the first Wolves goalkeeper i ever saw when i was younger. Being a goalkeeper as a junior he was one of my heroes!
R.I.P Mark Kendall, Wolves heroe!
A sad sad loss. A guy who played football as it should be,with a smile on his face
A real character in the tradition of all good goalkeepers and one of the best shot stoppers i’ve ever seen.
Thanks for the memories Mark.
RIP Mark you were a great keeper but more importantly had an affinity with the fans which is very rare if not existent in this day and age. Thanks for the memories.
RIP mark
Mark was president of our Sunday League Side back in the 80’s. He was a true gent. Very very sad day!!!
My sincere condolences to Mark’s Wife & children. Your husband and father was a remarkable, dignified and superb human being.
You can be proud for all eternity.
With Love
RIP Mark, you did Wolves a quality service.God bless you, deepest sympathy to Mark’s family.
RIP IN PEACE MK
Mark were the first Wolves keeper I knew when I started going as a youth, things like this put football in perspective
R.I.P Mark, a Great Goalkeeper for Wolves and a true gentleman.
condolances to all his family and friends
RIP Mark, a molineux hero - Thanks for the memories. God bless you and your family. S
Very sad news RIP Mark, thanks for the memories.
Minutes applause on Sunday would be fitting.
RIP Mark, great days remembered
Mark has been an unsung hero at Wolves for so long now - he was an inspiration inthe late 80s revival at Wolves. Sad news. Lets win for him on Sunday.
RIP Mark,
What terribly sad news.
Wolves’ supporters will never forget you, Mark, and the part you played in our history. Sincere condolences to Mark’s wife and children.
What tragic news. Mark was a true Gent, always had time for the supporters, be that before a match,after it and when training…even sometimes when playing in a match. To coin a Black Country saying, `A BOSTIN BLOKE`. My thoughts and condolences to all his family and friends, R.I.P
Great character, very sad news, R.I.P
RIP Kendo - have great childhood memories of the fourth and third division days, especially watching training on the gritty car park outside the ground. You always put on a show! One of my heroes x
RIP Mark - sincere condolences to the family.
A great player, one of our best in recent times.
It’s a sad day for all of us.
Would really like to see a tribute on sunday before the game. R.I.P.
RIP
GREAT MEMORIES MARK,”A MAN WHO PLAYED FOOTBALL WITH
A SMILE.”.GOD BLESS.
What a very sad loss, he was a great keeper, and a great bloke.
R.I.P Mark you will be sadly missed by everyone who knew you. x
Didnt have the privledge 2 see u play mark. RIP
is there a minutes silence before plymouth now?
Mark you were always the best keeper in the school and as we grew up you got better and better and Dave the Wolvs fans day was made when you took time to come to his house to see him…..you were a great guy …wewill miss you.
Shocking news, and I feel for the family.
A great goal keeper - great character.
A great keeper who played the game in the right spirit and had a brilliant rapport with the fans and wolfie!!
Remember him as our number 1 in my teenage years. Great memories, great guy, great shame when so young.
R.I.P wolves leg and was it him who ppl called called jack in the box because im only 14 and cant remember him
I will always remember his penalty save at the Albion in Bully’s first game back there in the 89/90 season, then Bully scored the last minute winner.Great memories.RIP
Mark
It was a privelage to know you …to go to school with you, and take the mick when you said at the age of six that you will play for spurs one day. We used to say yeah yeah but you did it. It was a privelage to know you. We will miss you. (Thanks for making my mate dave so happy when yopu came with me and surprised him at his house)
RIP Mark, watching you and the rest of the team in the late 80’s early 90’s as a kid was what made me Wolves mad. Condolences to his family.
RIP Mark, He was goalkeeper when i was a growing up and as i was a goalkeeper to i looked up to him, HE WAS A TRUE GREAT AND WILL BE TRUELY MISSED.
Lets get them 3 points on sunday for him and win the play offs.
RIP MARK.
He was in the team with my Dad just seen him on video, great goalie RIP mate
WHAT A SHOCK ! SUCH A NICE CHAP GOT SOME GOOD MEMORYS OF HIM WHIST STANDING ON THE SOUTH BANK AND KENDALL FOOLING ABOUT IN GOAL A TRUE LEGEND CAN STILL REMEMBER THE CHANT KENDALL KENDALL SHOW US YA A##E OF WHICH HE DID . RIP FELLA WE,LL KEEP THE GOLD FLAG FLYING HIGH .
RIP to a fine player who heped us come back from the brink. Contrary to your report, he did not win a Welsh cap but ought to have done. He did play at schools and under-21 level, though. I hope the club will observe a minute’s silence or applause on Sunday
I am very saddened to hear of Kendo’s passing,my thoughts are with his Family.He was a real character and an inspiration to all those who played with him.What he did for Wolves was incredible,and he was one of the main reasons for Wolves’ revival.I was lucky enough to share his company and he had the ability to always make you laugh.
R.I.P Mark.
After Bully he was my favoutite player growing up in my finest years as a Wolves fan. Always played with a smile and the fans adored him.
We will never forget him RIP
With love and thoughts to his wife, children and all his friends and family
Thanks for the memories Mark…..RIP
A great keeper who kept the old South Bank entertained. RIP Mark xxx
RIP Mark - A legend from an era that Saved Wolves
RIP Mark. A childhood hero. A comic on and off the field. And an excellent keeper.
RIP mark thanks for everything thoughts to marks family , a true hero
Im pretty sure he saved a penalty at the hawthornes.
what a legend behind bully he was my favorite player.Thanks for the memories Mark some of which are the best times ive had as a wolves fan Div 3 and 4 champions,wembley 88,those were great days.
Sad news RIP Mark you will always be in my memories of the wolves, as being part of the team saved the wolves.
I remember Mark playing a dozen or so games for my club Chesterfield on loan from Tottenham in the 79/80 season.
Saved a penalty in a 3-3 draw at Sheffield Wed as well…making him a true Spireite legend.
RIP Mark
Sad news R.I.P MARK condolences to all friends and family.
I am a member of the Crown Prosecution Service and until last year I was working in Gwent where Mark worked as a police officer. Mark knew I was a lifelong Wolves fan, born and bred in Wolverhampton, so whenenever he needed the CPS he tended to ring me first. He was a true gent who never forgot his time at Wolves. He would jokingly remind me at every conversation that he held the Wolves record for clean sheets in a season. He would always ask me about the latest Molineux news and was particularly interested in how the keepers were getting on. He was a great personality and even though I moved to the South Wales Area from Gwent he tracked me down last year to pose one of his usual very tricky legal questions. All the best Mark, I am going to miss you.
MAY I ADD TO THE WONDERFUL TRIBUTES LEFT BY MY FELLOW SUPPORTERS.
MARK THANK YOU FOR THE PLEASURE YOU GAVE US ALL AT WOLVES DURING YOUR CAREER..AND OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS AT THIS VERY SAD TIME.
REST IN PEACE MATE..FROM ALL IN THE SOUTHBANK.
RIP - Thanks for the memories.
Thanks for the memories Kendo. R.I.P.
Condolences to the Family.
RIP Mark. 49 is no age and shows how precious what little time we have on earth is. Glad to see he touched so many of your lives.
Thanks for the memories Mark. You were one of the heroes who saved Wolves from extinction.
The happiest days of my Wolves supporting were stood on the South Bank when Kendo was between the sticks!!!
Truly shocked and gutted, my sincere condolences go out to Mark’s family, he really was a Wolves legend as the club clawed it’s way back to the top!!!
I have nothing but found memories of Mark Kendall.Not only was he a great goalkeepeer during a golden era when Mr Turner turned the club around but i remember on one occassion as i went to get tickets for an away match how he went out of his way to talk to us it meant a lot.i also remember (dont ask why)how he used to wipe his boots on the back of his socks before taking a goal kick.funny how we remember the strangest of things.Thanks for the memories and god bless you.
What a tragedy. Mark was not only a class ‘keeper, but a great character. I remember us lifting the 4th division championship at home and he was doing somersaults on the pitch. Every time he did one we’d all cheer, so he’d do it again. He got a massive cheer when he got his medal and got his hands on the trophy. Happy days indeed. Mark, you are fondly remembered. God be with you and Rest in Peace.
RIP Mark, agreat goalie, a great bloke and a great loss.
RIP
Mark,thanks for the memories..
Very sad news.
Reading many of the posts above brings back many happy memories of his days at Wolves.
The banter and ball tricks are stuff of legends.
RIP MK.
kendo, thanks for the memories mate, god bless
RIP Mark! Awful news. I had the privilege to meet him once - a thoroughly nice bloke who took a genuine interest in other people. His role in the revival of Wolves should not be underestimated!
A great keeper, a Wolves legend,a great character.
RIP Mark you will be sadly missed by all Wolves fans.
R.I.P Mark you were loved by thousends and you are still loved by thousends
guys i have added a memories of mark on facebook which i shall try to contact wolves to pass on to Mark’s family
here is the facebook link
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=13757473596
Gutted absolutely gutted.
I started going to the wolves about 85/86 and Kendall was always a favourite. He truly was a players player and a fans favourite.
RIP Mark you were taken far too soon. Hope you are making the fans laugh in Heaven
Rest peacfully Mark, you will be fondly remembered by all the Wolves fans who knew you. Condolences to Marks family and friends.
RIP Kend’s
Some great moments with you in the team…
1 of MANY Wolves Goalkeepers legends
Kendo!
It was a friday morning that we met, a school inset day (remember them?). You’d been training on the North Bank car park with Bully, Thomo, Robbie, Bruno, Ally, etc…
My sister and I rushed up to you to get your autograph after you’d finished. You were such a big bloke, like a giant to me and our kid. You took our kid’s autograph book in hand and noticing that it was a “My little pony” book you sang…
“My little pony, skinny and boney, went to the circus, farted on purpose”
I was 8, my sister was 6.
Today I called her to tell her you’d died. I’m 27 now, she’s 25, and you’re the reason I’m a goalkeeper.
“Kendo Kendo show us your arse!”
…and you always did.
We love you Mark, God Bless!!
Part of the team that saved the club and brought it back from the brink of the abyss. Is indelibly printed in the history books for that. Top bloke as well. Very sad at the news. Thinking of you Kendo.
I remember Mark from the late 80s in the Turner days. I was a young un in the family enclosure back then. I remember him being a great keeper, a professional, seemed modest and playing with a smile on his face. He was a favourite of mine as a kid, really sad to hear he is no longer with us.
RIP Mark, will always remember the victory parade when we won the (old) fourth Div and Sherpa Van Trophy - you saw me at the side of the road and held out the trophy towards me. Sincerest condolences to your family
Cat Kendall. Respect.
This is tragic. At that age. Any age. A wife and two little uns left without him. Mark was in goal at my first Wolves match and for many years and beyond. He will never be forgotten this one.
Mark, you were a true wolves legend. Have memories of standing behind the goal on a wet friday night at Southend and you performing your customary shorts act. You were part of a team that entertained and an era of player that played the game for the love of it. My thoughts go out to your family at this tragic time. All the best kendo…
i remember him well and with great respect .its made me sad . im in the north bank sunday i hope when i start my ONE MARK KENDALL… THERES ONLY ONE MARK KENDALL .. some of you will join me .
What a shock. Have some great memories of you. Only kept out the Wales side by “Big Nev Southall”. Wolves Legend RIP.
A tremendous bloke who played a major part in our revival. He was a great character who obviously enjoyed his football. I remember him acknowledging the fans in the South Bank- he used to clench his fist but keep his thumb and small finger sticking up- not sure what that was all about! In goal for the Div 4 and 3 title wins; Sherpa Van at Wembley and yes, that wonderful penalty save at the Hawthorns allowing Bully to score his last minute winner!
Some fans didn’t realise how good Mark was until we tried to replace him with Tony Lange!
RIP Mark. Thanks for some great memories.
Condolences to all affected.
Proud to be a Wolves fan.
I’d like to offer my condolences to Mark’s family.They should be proud of his achievments.
He was a totally nice fella who would pose for pictures & sign autographs all day.
Thanks Mark, R.I.P.
Tragic news. When times were tougher and money is tight you find your real heroes and he was one of them. Obviously loved the club and we loved him.
Sincere condolences to friends and family.
Mark Kendall…One of Graham Turner’s shrewdest buys. Never let the club down. Recall him giting Crewe and easy goal at home with a bad goal kick and the South Bank chanting his name…that’s the kind of affection we talking here.
Thoughts are with his family.
May you rest in Peace Kendo.
A good goalkeeper who did wolves proud R.I.P MARK.
I have very fond memories of the 1988 Sherpa Van Trophy Final, as well as the 4th and 3rd Division Championship seasons. There’s no doubt in my mind that Mark Kendall’s personality and character were just as vital as his goalkeeping skills were in helping the revival of the club. Im very sad to hear of his passing.
Sad, sad news.
RIP Mark, condolences to his family.
Occasions like this put football into
perspective don’t they?.
You Wolves fans are showing your class. I applaud you.
I’m a Newport County fan, since the 70s (for my sins) - & Mark was one of my childhood heroes. I remember being at Molineux on that old, fantastic South Bank in 87/8 - when both sets of fans bizarrely applauded each others goalie - you had Kendall & we had Bradshaw. Great days indeed.
On behalf of Newport County AFC, thank you for your comments lads - they brought a real tear to my eye. You lot ooze class.
Good luck tomorrow fella’s.
Ade Williams.
I remember Mark when he was a young lad at Tottenham. We worked in Tony’s Cafe where the boys from Spurs used to come in and eat. When he was in Goal for Spurs We asked him if he would take our youngest son in the grounds on his 7th birthday. He not only did that but he picked him up from school and took him not only into the grounds but played on the pitch with him. You can imagine how excited our son was.
Our thoughts are with you and we will all remember Mark with fondness. He will be sadly missed.
MARK KENDAL SIMPLY THE BEST
RIP MATE
A true legend and always played with a smile on
his face. What a sad loss. RIP Mark.
I was lucky enough to be friends with Mark during his time at Wolves. He would do anything for anyone and he was one of the funniest people I’ve ever met. I’d like us to remember him laughing and cracking jokes. What a terrible loss. RIP Mark and God bless.
Never forget Mark ’swimming’ in the Blomfield Road goalmouth to save a Blackpool goal during the 3rd division promotion season on the wettest night football has seen.
One of the greats that clawed our club back to respectability after the nightmare that was the Bhatti era.
Thanks for the memories.
Well said 105 Ken.
Great guy great keeper and a firm fav to all wolves fans god bless you and THANK YOU for all the top draw performances you will be missed by all R.I.P
Mark was my trainer at PTC and he made it enjoyable, a very funny man with a heart of gold.
My thoughts are with his family
x
Great applause for Kendo before game today. Wolves not getting into play-offs is of no consequence compared with the loss of a fine bloke far too soon in life.
My condolences to mark’s family. Many fond memories of Mark and our happy days on the south bank in division 4. RIP
First saw Mark as an 11 year old in a schools football tournament in Blackwood and even then it was obvious that he was a cut above the rest of us. Next time I saw him was in Bedwellty Grammar School, where I was in some of his classes. I remember the day in a woodwork class when he brought in a letter from the manager of Spurs congratulating him on joining the club. Mark was so proud and some of the other boys were so jealous, but it never went to his head that he,d made the grade. In school, he was always telling terrible jokes and he used to poke his head around any classroom door before the teacher came and say, to a stunned class of kids, I say, I say, I say. My dog,s got no nose! Your dog,s got no nose? How does he smell? Bleedin, awful! Then he,d shut the door and walk away, as though nothing had happened. Another thing was that if we ever had a kick around in school, he,d never play in goal, only outfield.
He was bigger and stronger than most of us, but he never threw his weight around or pushed anyone about. He was a really nice guy. I have,nt seen him for about 15 years but it,s terrible to think that I,ll never see him again. Sad loss, condolences to his family.
In all of yesterday and the good things for us baggies, I was stopped in my tracks with this very sad news. I remember Mark playing for the Gold and Black and he was a good keeper and will be missed across the football world. Life is much more important than football and my thoughts today are with his family and friends. RIP and God Bless all those you leave behind.
When I was ball boy Mark always used to wave to me and to the John Ireland stand (the right side). He would speak sometimes, if we were winning, telling me not to throw the ball back too quickly. First class man, still in shock. Best wishes to his family.
Condolances to Mark and his family at this sad time. I’m sure any true Wolves, Baggies, Walsall or any other fan or decent human being share these feelings. RIP Mate…
Mark said to me with that lovely Welsh lilt: “I like it when you write about me. Others say I am fat, but you say I am burly.” Mark Kendall wasn’t fat - but he had to be big to hold that enormous heart.
I allways remember Mark when we was kids in the sixties, he fell off the rope swing up at the old resevoir and broke his arm,his dad Brian was worried about his footy career,we knew he,d do well..very sad to hear of his passing,and condolances to his family,he was allways laughing,even when he fell off that swing,well not hysterical,but a chuckle,only knew kendo when i was a kid,our parents were friends,so we was.R.I.P mate. Marty
Mark was a fantastic guy, he was my brothers football manager for Madeley Sports and was brilliant with the lads.
Such a sad loss my thoughts are with his family
xxxx R.I.P Mark xxxx