Terry Riley – RIP

Ilford AC are mourning the death of octogenarian Terry Riley, a talented athlete in the Club’s race walking heyday during the ’70s who also enjoyed success in Post Office races. Known as “The Big Man” was tall with a long stride and one capable of always giving a good account of himself from short sprints up to a 52 miles London-to-Brighton Walk. During the ’70s he won a highly competitive London Postmen’s 6 miles race 5 times. His athletics career ended after a moped road accident in Becontree which left him with one foot shorter than his other. Following an operation he had the pluck to attempt a comeback but it didn’t work out so he hung up his racing pumps. With compensation he bought a newsagents/confectioners shop in Barking, later selling and buying a wool shop next door. On retirement he moved to Hadleigh in Suffolk. Widower Terry was well remembered at Ilford AC due to his popularity and was one of a trio of talented postal walkers of that era employed at Ilford’s Main Sorting Office. He attributed much of his success to being driven hard up Tomswood Hill in training by Ilford’s Olympian protagonist Roger Mills! A funeral service is to be held at Ipswich’s Seven Hills Crematorium on Wednesday 29th October at 1.30pm at which a wearing of West Ham shirts will be welcomed.

Terry Riley RIP proudly hold his RWA 7 Miles-in-an-Hour badge.

As requested by some – we’ve got hold of an action photo of Terry Riley racing.  Brings back memories. Terry is ahead of International Denis Jackson, who at the time was 4th on an UK all-time list of 50 Kilometres’ race walkers.  Glasses were raised to Terry yesterday at a meeting of old Ilford AC race walkers in “The Bull” (Romford Market Place).

Tributes to Terry Riley RIP
 
. Sorry to hear about the death of Terry Riley. I don’t recall ever meeting him, but I’ve heard a lot about his success in the London Postman’s Annual Walk. I learned he was a great, committed, and dedicated race walker with five wins. That takes a lot of training, hard work, dedication and commitment. His name was forever etched in the sport’s history.  As a former Postman and winner of the Annual Postman’s walk, please extend my sadness and condolences to Terry’s family in this time of grief.  He will be remembered, talked about and missed.

Mike Sweeney

. It was sad to hear of Terry’s passing.  he was such a cheery and happy person who always had a happy broad smile on his face whenever you met him. Another of our band of brothers who has gone ahead.  Sincerely Oliver Flynn
. Sad news.  All the best Roy Gunnett
. He will certainly be missed as a real character!  May he Rest in Peace. Sincerely condolences. Bill and Kath Sutherland
. Sad news. Terry was indeed a very popular and useful member of the Ilford race walking team back in the day.  Andy Catton
. Seeing the picture of Terry with the donated 7 Mile in the Hour badge, reminded me of what a good club man he was, who would put in a competitive shift for his club when racing.  Always the cheery big man with a good word for everyone.  Thank-You Terry it was great to have known you. My sincere condolences and good wishes to Terry’s family and friends.

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Len Ruddock