Frank Heaney RIP  

Aug 242022
 

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 rarely missed any of our Club functions and activities. A truly genial man who’l be much missed and long remembered.As for the Walking Section, he regularly turned out for our 2 main events to hold a stopwatch or a recorder’s clipboard : our Christmas 10K walks at Chigwell Row and summer 10K around South Park’s perimeter, and was an enthusiastic supporter of our Walking Section.Dave Ainsworth (a Past President).

I am deeply saddened to hear the news that Frank has passed away. He was one of the first people I met when I went to Cricklefield way back in 1962. From those early days and throughout my career Frank always supported and encouraged me, and I remember that especially so from the times when things weren’t going well.
Frank was a chartered accountant and his support extended to guiding me through some accountancy exams in my early working years which proved to be really significant for me. He was a very intelligent man, always cheerful and lively, but also with a wicked sense of humour – something that always made it fun to be in his company. He will be greatly missed.
Tony Nixon

  AGM – 8th March 2022  

Feb 082022
 

The Club AGM will be held on Tuesday 8th March at 8.00pm at the Ilford Sports Club – The Agenda and Nominees for Officer Positions can be found on the link below :-

pdf icon AGM-2022.pdf

  Geof Hunwicks R.I.P  

Jan 102022
 

GEOFF HUNWICKS R.I.P.
Former Junior International Geoff Hunwicks (Ilford AC and Weymouth St.Paul’s Harriers) has sadly passed on, while a hospital patient in The Gambia, where he had settled. He was aged 71 (d-of-b 17/08/1950).   He will be remembered so well by all those who had the pleasure of meeting him.  He certainly lived life to the full.   Below is confirmation from the Hart House website, where Geoff worked so hard for the good of the community in such a positive way.  All reading this will be deeply saddened.
This is what was just posted by Hart House (on their FB page) …
We are shocked and sad to report the sudden death of the inspirational Geoff Hunwicks, founder and CEO of Hart House, during last night.
He had spent some time in hospital over the festive season but was beginning to feel better and had returned home.
Hart House has been fully open up until now but will temporarily close whilst arrangements are put in place by the Hart House Committee to allow it to reopen.
Geoff’s devout wish would be for the facility to stay open as a long term legacy for his work and we will be doing all we can to ensure that happens.
We will post further information as it becomes available
Rest in peace Geoff

Geoff Hunwicks heads an all-star leading and talented bunch closely followed by Internationals Shaun Lightman, Ian Richards & Bob Dobson. Photo supplied by Don Cox

Ilford AC are mourning the loss of one of their leading members from past decades. On Monday, while a hospital patient after a lengthy period of illness, GEOFF HUNWICKS passed away at the age of 71.
In Ilford’s colours he was part of their team – along with Roger Mills and Brian Armstrong, who won the 1968 National Junior 5 Miles Championship in Salford.  Geoff’s success saw him awarded a GB International vest at junior level.  Success followed success and in 1975 at Southwick, Geoff was part of Ilford’s team which won the Club’s first ever Senior Walking Championship, over 10 miles, the other members being Roger Mills and late athletes Steve Gower and Lew Mockett.  He was a regular competitor in Essex representative teams winning the Essex 50 Kilometres’ Championship twice in succession – 1976/77.  He served as the Club’s Hon.Press Officer for a spell in the ’70s, submitting many reports to the Ilford Recorder and the long since defunct Ilford Pictorial.  He participated in both running and race walking events and was active on the Club’s social scene.
 
When leaving Ilford he relocated to Weymouth where he turned out for Weymouth St.Paul’s Harriers before emigrating to The Gambia to run “The Gambian Home For Children With Learning Difficulties”, a managerial position he held until his sad demise.
 
He was involved in many sports and activities.  He enjoyed success as a chess player, reaching County standard and was involved in competitive league skittles, which he took most seriously, to a high level  and could always hold his own at the snooker table.  He also stepped out into the ballroom on a number of occasions.
Dave Ainsworth