It is with great sadness that I am informing you that John died on Monday, 28th December 2020.
You will remember him as a loyal, long serving and talented thrower.
There are no funeral arrangements as yet but COVID restrictions would make attendance difficult.
His son David can be contacted on tel. no. 01277 654329.
Regards
Ray Radley
Such sad news to hear of John Weightman’s passing. I have so many happy memories of him being such a formidable member of our track team. He had such quiet composure, I always knew that maximum points or very close to it were assured in the events covered by John and his great partner Bill Bushnell. what a deadly duo they were. They will be greatly missed, both were exemplars of their art. as art it surely was.

Rest in Peace Lads, Gordon Crouch

Very sorry to hear of John Weightman’s passing. He was a regular and absolutely key team colleague in nearly all of the track & field events I participated in from my joining the Club in 1957.  I even holidayed with him with a group of Ilford athletes back around 1963, in a minibus driven by Ray Radley.  I seem to recall that John was competing in Southern League meetings until he was around 60.  He was a gentle soul who was able to channel his aggression entirely into propelling his discus out of the circle.  Quite possibly the highest points scorer in Ilford AC T&F history. Sadly I learned only recently that Bill Bushnell, our key javelin thrower of the same era, passed away in April or May last year. John Batchelor

Another Ilford legend departed.   John was indeed a “super thrower” an absolute stalwart of Ilfords Southern League team throughout the 1960’s, ’70’s and in to the ’80″s.   He remains in the top of the club all time lists 3rd Discus, 4th Hammer & 5th Shot. And was Essex County Champion Shot (1962) and 5 times Discus winner (1962 – 66)   Sad to end 2020 with yet another Ilford / Essex athlete passing on.   Andy Catton

Ilford AC are mourning the death of one of their leading lights – Pete Ryan – who died peacefully in his sleep during the night and failed to rise this morning (Friday).  He was a pancreatic cancer sufferer in his final years.   He was a lifelong Sheffield Wednesday supporter and enjoyed watching football – having viewed Thursday evening’s match on television before retiring.
Peter, aged 66, a retired Police Constable, was a proud Yorkshireman who moved south to this area in the 70s – and stayed!
He was a tall man with a long stride and a formidable athlete in both running and race walking events, at a variety of distances, and one who also represented the British Police in representative matches.
His best moment came at Newmarket in 2003 when he won the British 100 Miles’ Walking Championship in 19 hours 57 minutes and 35 seconds. Dave Ainsworth.

How very sad indeed; this photo was taken only 3 years ago this very weekend.

Pete travelled the country competing, this was the Forres Harriers 10k event from Brodie Castle and I was the lead cyclist.

The previous year Pete turned up at the Glen Moray (distillery) 10k.

I was timekeeping and looked up in time to see an ‘old school’ race walker finishing. Turned out to be Pete whom I had not seen for years.

As I said, sad news , great bloke, will write to him.

Thanks,

Alex Ross