Tributes flood in for Linda Mullins after her passing, aged 86

Linda's record speaks for itself says Coleman

JOHN COLEMAN, the legendary former Walthamstow trainer, has led the tributes to Linda Mullins after the seven-time Trainer of the Year's passing on Monday.

"Linda was a fantastic trainer, one of the very best - her record speaks for itself - and my heartfelt condolences go to her four boys and the wider family," said Coleman, who said he last spoke to Linda just before Christmas.

"We always exchanged Christmas cards and would speak once or twice a year, sometimes more. We'd been friends for a long time and I was friends with Patrick - or Pat - before his passing. We were both Irish and I'd knew him before him and Linda got together."

Coleman said his and Linda's careers almost ran parallel to each other.

"I'm a few years older but our careers ran side by side really, even to the end at Walthamstow," added Coleman, who always held special admiration for how Linda coped with the passing of her husband, ensuring family life continued as best it could while keeping a successful business and career going from their Manningtree, Essex, base.

"It was a very difficult time for Linda, that's for sure," added Coleman. "She had four teenage boys and John's help was invaluable I say. He'd have been 15 or 16 at the time as the oldest and there were some dark days for Linda around that part of her life.

"How she then ended up with seven trainer titles wouldn't have seemed possible at the time, but they got through it with sheer hard work. But then Linda was a brilliant greyhound trainer.

"Even now I credit her with winning the Derby with Lacca Champion. Pat is down as the trainer, of course, but Linda's help would be invaluable and, as time would later prove, she was exceptional with the dogs. Pat would be heavily involved, but Linda was the trainer, mark my words."

Imperial Kennels tribute

Linda Jones, a former champion trainer herself in 2001 and 2002, said: "Linda was a very good trainer and she’s been missed within greyhounds ever since she retired.

"We certainly had some good battles and we definitely had a good laugh about them, too!

"When you were up against one of her dogs, you knew if you didn’t have your dog 100 per cent right, she’d beat you!" 

The current champion trainer Mark Wallis, Linda Jones's son-in-law, said: "We as a family are so sorry to hear the sad news of Linda's passing.

"She was, without doubt, not just one of the greatest trainers of mine and Linda's (Jones) generation but one of the great characters in the sport that you rarely see.

"I feel for her family as I sadly lost my own mother a few days ago, but I feel especially for John, Dave and Kelly, whom we have had so many battles with over the years as trainers in their own right.

"Linda was so hard to beat and, like the recently departed Nick Savva, inspired me to try and reach higher standards!"

Respect from RMs

Peter O'Dowd, the former Romford racing manager, said: "Linda Mullins was a professional greyhound trainer in every sense of the word.

"I had the pleasure of engaging with her for open racing at Romford in the late 1990s when she was Trainer of the Year for those consecutive years.

"She set and demanded high standards, and her greyhounds were always presented in immaculate condition.

"Who could forget those Friday evenings at Romford with her stars El Tenor and Palace Issue, in particular.

"I’m very sorry to hear of her passing and send my condolences to her family."

Current Romford RM Mark Arkell, who worked with Linda when assistant to Chris Page at Walthamstow, said: "Linda was one of the best - she was unique.

"We used to have plenty of laughs with her, but she was also to the point and had a way to make you listen and really understand her views. A huge loss to the sport, but what a trainer she was."

Pat Quinn, assistant and partner of former trainer Pam Heasman, said: "Like Pam, Linda was a very, very special lady. She was old school, which meant things were done properly. She also took no prisoners when dealing with fools!"

Birol Nadir, part of the Zenith Racing syndicate with Vince Cooper, said: "It's a supremely sad day for everyone. Linda gave us our best memory ever with Gizmo Pasha winning the Grand National in 1990 and going on to be the only dog to win the English, Scottish and Irish Grand Nationals in the same season. Lots of Love to the Mullins boys. Continue to make your mother proud."

Dave Lawrence, the former Sky Sports greyhound racing producer, said on X:  "Very sad news. Linda was an exceptional trainer and she handled some of the fastest dogs I have seen including the peerless Palace Issue. My deepest condolences to all her family and friends. May she rest in peace."

*Linda Mullins is pictured with Gizmo Pasha after his Grand National victory in 1990. Picture courtesy of Steve Nash.