Announcements – Page 5 – Ilford Athletic Club

Peter Ryan R.I.P. (1954-2020)

Nov 132020

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

Tribute to Joe Mallott RIP

Oct 242020

Joe Mallott

It is my very sad duty to inform the club members of the passing of Joe Mallott, after a two year battle with cancer.

Joe came to the club in the early 1970s. He was a marvellous athlete. In his first year of competition he reached the Inter-counties final for the high hurdles and featured on the front cover of Athletics Weekly…..not bad for a beginner! He came under the care and guidance of Alf Pells an inspirational coach, where he learnt that time in the air was time wasted. His personal bests of 15.4 secs. for the high hurdles and 6.61m. for the long jump are just the bare bones of his contribution to I.A.C. in it’s pomp on the track. Joe partnered Wilbert Greaves and Steve Faint in the hurdles in the Southern League Division 1 and they were undefeated for two years. He was also part of the team that crushed Woodford Green Athletic Club to win the Vancouver Trophy at the inaugural meeting of their new track at Ashton (the only time in our history).

Later in life Joe took up golf and at the Top Meadow Golf Club in Essex he became the men’s captain with a handicap of 11.

Joe has been a part of my life for nigh on fifty years. He was a wonderful man, who always gave his very best to the common good. He will be sorely missed.

Gordon Crouch.

Joe Mallott (left) and Roger Honey