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  Phyllis Winger RIP Tributes  

Mar 252023
 
Phyllis Winger RIP Tributes

From Dave Ainsworth :- Phyllis was born at Horfield in Bristol on 22nd February 1934 which made her aged 89. For many years Phyllis resided in Rayburn Road, Hornchurch before moving to Kent. She was a Past President (1974/75), and a former Hon.General Secretary 1997/98 and was a  Life Member.  As Phyllis Perkins she became the Club’s first Olympian when competing in the 800 metres at the 1960 Rome Olympics.  In an event which been restored to the Olympic programme for a first time since the 1928 Amsterdam Games, Phyllis was eliminated in a heat when clocking 2:15.41.  Further major events came her way as in the 1962 European Championships in Belgrade, over the same distance, she failed to make …Read More

  Warren Roe RIP  

Nov 142022
 
Warren Roe RIP

Hornchurch resident Warren Roe, age 85, of Havering AC and ex-Ilford AC  was author of our Ilford AC 75th Anniversary book in 1998 – it’s title was “A 75th Anniversary History of Ilford Athletics Club 1923-1998” containing 184 pages of great writing.   Warren Roe joined Ilford AC in 1954. Warren still places high in Ilford AC’s all-time ranking list at 1,500 metres (3:54.7 in 1962) & 5,000 metres (14.33.8 also in 1962).  Among mourners was Ilford AC walker Peter Harrison, who was in Ilford’s team who the Southern Area 10 Miles Championship in 1959 at Wembley (our 4 team scorers were Ray Betts, Norman Alderman, Peter Harrison & P.A. Williams).  In Normans’s days top Ilford AC walkers also included …Read More

  Frank Heaney – Eulogy  

Sep 222022
 
Frank Heaney - Eulogy

Born in Dagenham on 7 September 1935, Frank was the middle child of three boys, Jack, himself, and Colin, born to Patrick and Marie, two good Belfast Catholics – although according to Frank, a direct line existed down from the 10th century Irish King, Brian Boru. He was four when war broke out in September 1939, and spent the war years back and forth between Dagenham and West Belfast, staying with relatives in a two-up, two-down Victorian terrace in Benares Street – the children sleeping two or more to a bed upstairs, the parents in an alcove under the stairs. But, as he was keen to point out, they never thought of themselves as poor. School was a very different …Read More

  Frank Heaney RIP  

Aug 242022
 
Frank Heaney RIP

Former member, President, athlete and auditor Frank Heaney sadly passed away yesterday 15th August Frank was a great Ilford AC stalwart and had a lasting  influence on anybody who ever knew him.He was a great friend and supporter of Ilford AC as well as being a larger than life personality. Our deepest condolences go to his wife Doreen and their family. Frank will be missed by us all. Ernie Forsyth Dear Frank was Ilford AC President 1778/79, following Brian Armstrong and succeeded by Roy Gill. He was a long-serving Club Chairman from 1988-to-1996 and a diligent auditor. Frank was aged 86 at the time of his demise, and I believe resided in Loughton. He enjoyed his Saturday afternoon/evening pints with “The Jokers” and …Read More