Victoria Park Harriers Hall of Fame 1926 - 2001

Albert Abrahams: Albert Abrahams was a splendid little Jewish fellow, who came to VPH in 1936. At best, he was well down the scoring of our road and cross-country teams, but he loved running and the sport. After the war, Albert helped to back up the Club’s small but effective marathoners. Always cheerful, he was one of the most familiar faces at club events - running in the winter and officiating at track events. Albert was also a character who once queued at a bus stop and hopped on a no. 236 to return to the Backyard Club after his legs gave out during a training spin. He had to confess that he had no money to which the conductor replied that the story with which he could now regale his friends was well worth the fare! Albert Abrahams became President in 1959/60 and was elected Life Vice President in 1966. He died in 1974.

Terry Adams:

John Anstey: John had been a leading light at Victoria Park Harriers during the 1960's and 1970's and even made his contribution as club magazine editor through to the mid-1980's, long after he'd moved away from the East London area. John first joined the club as a 17-year-old and wasted no time in immersing himself in club matters, being elected onto the committee the following year. Ten years after joining, John's reputation was such that he was overwhelming choice to be Club President and ten years after that, he joined the select band of Life Members. During these years, John served in several committee positions including Track Captain, Track Secretary, Cross Country Captain & Secretary, and also served on the Social Committee. John provided an excellent historical base by producing club magazines regularly from 1977 to 1986. Once John retired from this position, there was no one of his calibre to take his place and the club went into a kind of dark ages in terms of maintaining records until 1994. John was a very statistically minded individual and recorded all his competitions. From 1963 to 1996, John competed in 1,109 races. These broke down into 640 track (including relays), 310 road, and 159 cross country. He ran in 429 track races between the ages of 19 and 29, averaging 39 per season (perhaps a lesson learned for today's runners?). He also ran in the Chingford League for 24 season (113 races). Of the 587 individual track races that he competed in, John won 159 of them. He ran sub-53.0 for 400m 30 times, sub-2:00 for 800m 55 times over 11 consecutive years, sub-4:15.0 for 1500m 69 times over 16 consecutive years and 18 out of 19 years, and sub-16:00 for 5000m 39 times. John was very successful in club championships, winning a total of 46, which included 29 track races, 2 field events, 11 road races, and 4 cross country races. He backed these wins up with an additional 73 place medals. His track and field personal bests were as follows: 100m - 12.1, 200m - 24.2, 300m - 38.7, 400m - 51.6, 600m - 84.2, 800m - 1:55.6, 1000m - 2:35.0, 1200m - 3:10.6, 1500m - 4:01.7, 1 Mile - 4:23.2, 2000m - 5:41.7, 3000m - 8:42.2, 5000m - 15:12.8, 10000m - 32:38.0, 400H - 64.5, 3000S/C - 10:16.8. John was at the club three or four times a week for over ten years, as well as all socials, and was a very influential person. VPH benefited from his efforts for almost a quarter of a century. He died from a heart condition at the young age of 58.

Deric Bareford: Born in Poplar in November 1922, it was almost impossible for Deric to avoid becoming an athlete for his brother was a member of the Polytechnic Harriers and the family lived next door to Danny Jacobs (Herne Hill Harriers), who captained the British team at the Olympic Games at Stockholm in 1912. The war interfered with Deric’s early career and he served with the RAF from 1941 to 1946, mainly in the African theatre of operations, but he still managed to get in some athletics and in 1946 won the RAF Victor Ludorum trophy. When he first appeared at the Victoria Park track in the spring of 1947, it took some weeks for the information to filter through that this magnificently endowed and obviously experienced and class athlete was in fact unattached. You can imagine the delight of officials when Deric put his signature to a VPH membership form. Deric had won his first medal some 14 years before when at the age of ten he had finished third in the under-14 East London Schools Championship and it wasn’t long before he was adding to his collection of five RAF cups for he soon captured the club 100 yards and high jump titles. The 1947 season was one of athletic reconstruction - clubs were struggling to reorganise after a war which had scattered officials, records, and trophies, but by 1948, things were in full swing. VPH instituted a large number of new championships and Deric promptly set out to get his name on as many as possible. In that year, he retained the sprint and high jump and long jump titles and the newly instituted 220 yards championships. Working for the GPO qualified Deric for the civil service championship and he took both sprint titles, a double which he repeated when the London AC championships were held at the end of the 1948 season. In 1949, he captured the Middlesex sprint title and was runner-up in the furlong, performances which led to his selection for the AAA. Injuries handicapped Deric in 1950, although not sufficiently to prevent him annexing four club championships and the Middlesex pentathlon title, but in 1951 he came second in the Southern 100 yards and was favourite to win the furlong when he had the misfortune to pull a muscle. However, he retained his County pentathlon crown even though he could only (!!) boast two club titles. In 1952, he brought his number back to four, again took the County pentathlon, was third in the Southern decathlon, runner-up in the Middlesex 440 yards, and winner of the London AA long jump. Turning more and more to the decathlon in 1953, Deric reached a new peak by taking the bronze medal in the AAA championships. For one reason and another, his club pot hunt was limited to the discus, a championship which only evaded him for three years between 1950 and 1964. In 1955, he reached the high tide in his career when he was runnerup in the AAA Decathlon, although in the Southern, he had only been able to get home 3rd. The Middlesex pentathlon was by now practically a foregone conclusion but this was the last occasion he was to take home the trophy. The year also saw him reach a new peak in the club championship field for he secured five 1st place medals and at the end of the season was awarded the Sullivan trophy jointly with Geoff Iden for the most meritorious performance of the year. From then onwards, Deric decided that an all-rounder meant what it said and he tried almost everything...road races, road relays, and even the Middlesex Cross Country championship. How many can claim a County sprint medal and to have ground out 7 1/2 miles over the county country course? By dabbling in everything, it naturally meant giving up any ideas of major individual honors, but with his happy-go-lucky nature, there can be no doubt that the mid-50’s were the most enjoyable years of Deric’s athletics life for the pressure was off...and who likes pressure? His name may have disappeared from the newspapers, but he still played havoc with the VPH championships for in 1955 he again captured five titles. This was the last occasion a track championship fell to him, but the field events continued to fall thick and fast and even as late as 1973, Deric held the discus title. He amassed the staggering number of 54 club championship with the first coming in 1947 and the last in 1973 (age 50). His club representation statistics were outstanding. When competing for VPH, Deric won no fewer than 32 100 yard races, 20 furlongs, 8 long jumps, 4 high jumps, and 10 discus contests. He twice won triple jump and javelin contests and once took a 440. On 29 occasions, he was a member of a winning VPH relay team. He turned out for the club in the 100, 220, 440, 880, long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault, hammer, shot, discus, and javelin. Deric won club titles at 100 (7), 220 (5), 440 (2), high jump (10), long jump (8), shot (1), discus (14), and pentathlon (7). He also had a place medal over 880 yards. In one afternoon, during a match with the Metropolitan Police at Imber Court, Deric took part in the 100, 220, 110 and 220 relay, medley relay, shot, discus, hammer, javelin, long jump, and high jump - 11 events in all! In 1963, he joined the Veterans AC and promptly annexed their 100 and 220 championships. Deric lives in Woodford and runs Triangle Sports in Hackney. Alas, his remarkable collection of trophies was decimated when over 40 cups and medals were stolen from his home in 1965. In 1972 and 1973, age 50-plus, Deric once again returned to competition, capturing victory in the club discus championship both years. In 1978, Deric was recognised for his lifetime achievements with the Club being honoured with the position of Life Vice President, only the 11th to be so recognised. Deric passed on in 2009 but those who saw him in his prime could never forget the sight of the superbly built athlete using his raking stride to full advantage around the old dusty bends of the Victoria Park track!

Major Carr: Major joined the club in 1968, at the age of 21. Although he always had a great love of the sport, his administration abilities were much greater than his running and he quickly became involved in helping on the organisation side. In 1970, Major became Club Treasurer, taking over from Arthur Coombes and also assistant secretary, helping Alf Pearson. The early seventies were a boom time for the track and field side of the club, culminating in its gaining promotion to the first division of the Southern Men’s League. During this period, Major became qualified in judging both track and field events. Married in 1981, his new wife Sue quickly became involved in club affairs, becoming treasurer for a short period and recording at many track and road races. Major was Club Secretary for 16 years until 1991 and, up to this period, also has spells as Press Officer and Magazine Editor and for many years helped on the Social Committee. He was elected President twice in 1977 and 1985. During this period, he was also made a member of the Victoria Park Harriers Trust. After resigning as Secretary in 1991, as he was moving from London to a new job, Major was elected a Life Vice President. From 1992, despite living a long way from the club, he still came along and helped every year at Southern League home matches and the Open 5 and from 2000 onwards, started to develop an old members’ section of the club, with regular reunions and also assisted with fundraising for the club. Club matters pivoted around Major during the 1980’s and it’s no wonder that he was known as Mr VPH during that time.

Arthur Coombes: Arthur Coombes joined the Club in June 1934 and proved an outstanding junior sprinter, being a Middlesex Junior 220 yards champion and finishing 2nd in the Southern, but made only rare appearances in the Senior ranks. In 1949, he was Assistant General Secretary, but for the next 15 years or so maintained only a tenuous connection with VPH by acting as one of our auditors. However, in 1964, Arthur entered more fully into VPH’s organisation and became Treasurer. He held that office for seven years, but did very much more besides. As an announcer, recorder, and general official, his contribution to our club was immense. It was as the Club Starter that he shined the brightest but it must be remembered that no one spent more time and energy in maintaining our Headquarters building. Arthur held office as President in 1965/6 and again in 1973/4. In 1975, he was elected a Life Vice President. He also served as a member of our Headquarters Trust until his passing in 1992.

John Daniels:

George Dodd: George was a dedicated member of Victoria Park Harriers for over a quarter of a century, despite never having been a competitive athlete himself, having joined the Club when his teenage son Gary took up the sport in 1974. While Gary moved onto other activities, George remained, became an essential part of VPH, and was the Club’s Chief Timekeeper for much of that time. When George died in 2000, he was buried in his blazer and club tie, with his timekeepers badges proudly worn.

Wayne DuBose: Wayne's first competition was at a Hackney Downs School track and field outing at Victoria Park, London in 1968. The following year, his PE teacher, Jack Singer, recommended he join VPH and, living less than a half-mile from the clubhouse, he signed up in July of that year. With no coach to latch on to at that time, he lost touch with the club until the following spring when, in preparation for the North London Grammar Schools Championships, he returned to VPH. By coincidence, VPH was hosting a club championship evening and Wayne took part, coming 4th in the Youth Mile in 5:39 and winning his first club championship medal, a silver in the junior discus. From that day, Wayne, age 15, never lost touch with VPH again. In 1971, age 16, he represented VPH for the first time, competing in seven events in his first-ever Southern League match. With VPH being mainly a running club, Wayne had ample opportunities to compete in the field events and the hurdles. Over the years, he tended to dominate many of these specialty events at VPH, especially the pole vault and the javelin. He was ranked club number one in the javelin and the pole vault in all 25 years that he participated in both (including a 17-year consecutive stretch where he ranked #1 in the javelin, competing just once in 1985 and 1986). In his younger days, such was his thirst for competition that on 10 May 1972, between Hackney Downs School and VPH Club Championships, Wayne competed in 15 events finishing off with the 5000m (6 track, 9 field). He finished off that year sharing the Sullivan Trophy for best club athlete, quite an honour for a 17-year-old. His prolific years occurred in the mid-seventies, especially during 1973 and 1974 when he set 90 personal bests. During this time, Wayne represented Great Britain twice in Junior Decathlon competition against France. He also won silver and bronze medals in the National Junior Decathlon Championships, ranked as high as 13th in the British National Senior Men’s Decathlon rankings, and won the Middlesex County Senior Men’s Decathlon title. Of particular note was during a 1976 Southern League meeting at Newham when, in the space of ten minutes, he set 3 personal bests (at the time, 2 of them were club records and the other ranked #2 all-time). These were the JT - 61.14 (200'7"), 110H - 16.4, and PV - 3.82 (12'6 1/2")). As an aside, just two months earlier, Wayne took part in a London-to-Brighton Charity Walk covering the 54.5 miles in 14 hrs 10 mins. Although never an acknowledged distance runner, Wayne did represent the club over road and cross-country races on 38 occasions between 1971 and 1976. His moment of glory came in 1973, when he beat John Anstey and Alan Barber, two of VPH's all-time distance-running greats, over a 5.1-mile cross-country course. A couple of years later, he ran the 20-mile figure-of-eight course in 2:11. In 1984, upon his nine-year return to the States, he was elected Life Member, age 29. In 1993, Wayne returned to England, and, although he dabbled in Master's competition (winning U.S. and U.K. national titles), Wayne tended to concentrate on Southern League competition, club championships, producing the club magazine, and attending Board meetings. In his Southern League career, which lasted from 1971 to 2005, Wayne competed in 660 events over 129 matches, winning 197 events and scoring 2,326 points (with 12 events' positions unknown). During his VPH career which ran from 1970 to 2005, Wayne set 74 club records and won 89 club championships, 84 of which were at the Senior Men’s level. At the 2001 AGM, after serving an unprecedented four years as Club President, Wayne was elected as Life Vice President, only the 14th VPH'er to be accorded this honor in the Club's 75-year history.

Dick Everson: While George Hemsworth holds a pre-eminent position among the Club’s officials, there can be no doubt that Dick Everson follows him closely and if man hours spent at track, road and cross country events where Victoria Park Harriers were competing could be reckoned up, Dick must be ahead. Although he always followed athletics, Dick didn’t join VPH until 1946 when one of his sons took up running. He was very soon elected Assistant General Secretary but then took over as Honorary Track Secretary and for a year held both offices. He brought to the track an organisation and dedication which it would be difficult to exceed. He felt he needed a rest after ten years but was scarcely able to draw his breath before he again found himself allied to George Hemsworth as Assistant General Secretary, this time for six years. When George died, there was great concern about how the club would function without its hub and Dick came back for three more years as Assistant Secretary, firstly to support Peter Seabrook and then Alf Pearson. By 1970, he was 74 years of age and determined that younger men should take the responsibilities but there were still ways of making himself useful and from 1971 to 1974, he acted as an Honorary Auditor. Between these stints in executive positions, Dick shouldered the sheer grind of running VPH's football pontoon yet his most massive contribution to VPH affairs was as club timekeeper. A Grade I County Timekeeper, Dick was our chief timekeeper for some 30 years. For at least half that time, the number of club fixtures that he missed, home and away, could virtually be counted on one hand. Summer or winter, rain or shine, Dick Everson would be there. He was also in demand as a timekeeper at meetings in which VPH had no part but he never hesitated to decline invitations to prestigious White City meetings when they clashed with our domestic fixtures. Dick served two terms as President, 1956-7 and 1964-5. He was made a Life Vice President in 1966 and served as a member of our Headquarters Trust for many years. He died in his 89th year in 1985.

Gordon Everson: Gordon joined Victoria Park Harriers in 1946 and won the London Junior 440y Championships the same year. He was a very good half miler, winning the club senior half mile championships in 1952 and 1955 when the club had a wealth of top talent. Over half a century after running his best times, he was in the top 20 all-time club 800m rankings. Gordon served the club as Track Captain from 1951 to 1956, Track Secretary from 1957 to 1970, Club President in 1964/5, and was a regular race official up until 1974, totalling 28 years of service to the club. In 1976. he was elected as the Club’s 8th Life Vice President. Gordon was best known as editor of the club magazine, producing no less than 97 publications from 1952 to 1969. He also wrote a history of the club's first 50 years (see the club website). Gordon passed away in 2006.

Ted and Jack Flowers: Ted and Jack Flowers were well into their twenties when they signed up in September 1947. If it was a late start, they made up for it for it was half a century later when they made their final appearance. Often thought to be twins, there were in fact a couple of years between them. Of similar height (about 5’2”), Ted bounced along, head bobbing from side to side, while Jack made stately progress with a deliberate arm action and longer strides, rarely showing the effort he was making. Jack was the stronger over the country and came 2nd in the Club 10M XC Champs over three consecutive years (1951 – 3) whereas his brother only managed a single bronze in 1951. However, Ted usually held the upper hand on the road. In Club 10M Road Champs, he was 2nd five consecutive years from 1951 to 1955 and 3rd in 1956. Jack finished 3rd in four of those races. When the Flowers Brothers stepped up their distance work, they became crucial to our team results when backing Geoff Iden in races at 15 mile and over. Awards showered down on them for occupying scoring places in our successful distance teams as they proved to be models of consistency. In 1954, Albert Abrahams donated a silver cup for a Club 20 championship in the name of (depending on the source) either his parents or his brothers, one who died in WW1 and the other in WWII. It was held in conjunction with the Finchley 20 and the cup seemed destined for the Iden trophy cabinet until injury put him out of the race. Ted and Jack finished 11th and 12th, with 150 yards between them, thus Ted became our first 20M Club Champion and, as a bonus, collected a Middlesex County 20M bronze medal. Occupying 5th and 7th places in the South London Harriers 30 miles, Ted and Jack backed the winner Geoff Iden magnificently and enabled VPH to take both the team race and the Southern Counties Marathon team title. When Iden decided to retire, the Flowers Brothers decided they could do without the ultra-long distances but they couldn't survive without running altogether and for year after year, Ted and Jack turned out for the Club in road and cross country races. They still had plenty of running in them and Jack showed particularly good form in relays, three times making a place in the VPH Brighton Relay teams. In the glory days, their best performances must have been the 1953 AAA Marathon where they were 9th and 10th and the 1954 South London Harriers '30' mentioned above. Times vary for courses, but as best as can be established, Ted and Jack ran 20 miles in 1:59:54 and 1:59:49. the marathon in 2:39:36 and 2:36:53 and 30 miles in 3:09:43 and 3:13:36. When long past their best running days, Jack and Ted continued to help out at the Club where necessary. They were made special Club Co-Presidents from 1995 to 1997 and, when the Harriers celebrated their 70th anniversary in 1996, Jack and Ted were presented with special plaques commemorating their 50 years with the Club. Jack passed away in 2003 at the age of 87.

Frank Fuller: Frank joined VPH as a junior soon after the formation in 1926 but Frank was devoted to cross country and felt he would be more suited to Surrey AC who had a strong 'country' section. Consequently, he became second claim to VPH. After the war, he didn’t rejoin Surrey and became our Cross Country Secretary, holding that office for eleven years. He was also our handicapper for road and cross-country races. During the track season, Frank was little seen but when we began to field marathon teams in the early fifties, he often turned out to back up our scorers and ensure that VPH closed in. In 1954/5, he was elected President.

George Hemsworth: As a runner, George Hemsworth, a London fireman, was a regular member of VPH’s cross country and distance teams. Never a high scorer, he was the sort of person upon which all clubs know they can rely. But if he was not highly ranked among our runners, he was a gem among officials. From the moment he took over as General Secretary, George set a high standard and the way he organised the end of season family meetings was legendary. On such occasions, his popularity with all ages was reflected in the way he would be a Pied Piper to the children of our members. In 1939, when World War II started, VPH was put into hibernation and George was kept busy, especially during the blitz, in his role as a fireman. Seven years later, George, who had carefully preserved all Club property, took the required steps necessary to bring Victoria Park Harriers back to life. As a batchelor, he had no problems with priorities; athletics was his life and VPH secured the benefits of that affection. Not that all his time was spent on club affairs for George served on several area and district committees. He also organised the massive London Fire Brigade 'Open's' which were held at White City Stadium and elsewhere. As a pastime, he would go fishing and what better way to relax. His innate kindness was legendary. Members who had fallen ill could always expect letters or personal visits and George always tried to keep contact with those who had retired or moved away. So much was taken on his shoulders that one wondered how he found sufficient hours in the day. Besides the recognised correspondence duties of a General Secretary, he would take a hand in running football pontoons and other money raising schemes; buy all handicap and championship awards; send out Christmas cards to all members, as well as distributing fixture cards and the like. He arranged all printing and personally ran off the club magazines from the stencils sent to him. Upon reflection, one can see how unfairly things were heaped upon his willing back until he showed signs of breaking and perhaps only Dick Everson over the years made serious attempts to relieve the pressure. Many a time they would sit up together after midnight on Saturday nights writing out hundreds of pontoon result sheets for people who probably spared not a second's thought upon the work behind the scenes. George was a golden man who shunned the limelight. He was awarded a British Empire Medal for his services to the London Fire Service Sports and Charities and was persuaded to be our Club President in 1957. He was made a Life Vice President in 1962 and, with the breaks of the war years and two years in the late fifties, was General Secretary from 1937 until his untimely death in 1968.

Geoff Iden: Geoff joined us in June 1946 as a second claim member, being first claim to Queens Park Harriers. He had been running since the early thirties and had represented Middlesex. In 1948, he was living in Upton Park and became a first claim member of VPH. It wasn't long before he took a Club Championship. It was the 3 miles and he earned the "Squire Yarrow" twice more (in 1950 and 1951), but Geoff had passed his track prime. Nevertheless, on road and cross country, he was very much in charge and ran up four Club titles in the 'MacDonald' 5M XC Champs and seven consecutive victories from 1949 in the 7.5M and then 10M XC Champs. After the third, he was presented with the 'Coronation' Cup. Tommy Whyman replaced it with the "JeffSue" Cup, named after his children. The 10M Club Road Champs was established in 1949 and Geoff held the cup for eight consecutive years. He also won the "Abrahams" 20M Club Road Champs in 1955 (1:48:53) and 1956 (1:52:20.6) held in Kent; in all, he won 24 Club titles! Only twice, the mile in 1948 and 3 miles in 1951, did Geoff fail to win a club championship he had entered. Invariably, our first man home in cross country events, he also set a course record of 12:54 in the Eton Manor Mob Match on the Triangle course in January 1949. He was awarded the "Sullivan" Trophy an unmatched four times. It was in 1949 that Geoff's mind turned to the marathon. The legendary Sam Ferris, international star of the thirties, took Geoff under his wing and by 1952, VPH had its first Olympian. At the Helsinki Games, Geoff was Great Britain's third string; as it turned out, Jim Peters blew up, Stan Cox tired and Geoff came through to 9th place in 2:30:42. In 1954, he earned selection for the British team at the European Games in Berne, Switzerland. Again rising to the occasion, he finished top Brit in 6th clocking 2:28:02. Additionally over Geoff's marathon years, he earned second and third place AAA Championship medals, represented Great Britain in the Enschade Marathon (6th place), won three Middlesex 20-mile Championships, and led the Club team to a host of long distance successes. During Geoff’s era, VPH took the Southern Counties Marathon team title in 1954 and, in six years, our distance teams were winners of the Kent 20 no fewer than four times, the Belgrave 20 twice, and the South London Harriers 30 twice. We also took the team trophies in the Finchley 20, Mitcham 15, and the Sedgeley 15. The Polytechnic Marathon eluded us but the Club placed second or third on five occasions. Geoff’s best time over the distance came in the 1956 Polytechnic Marathon where he ran 2:25:51. This lasted as a club record for 52 years!

Keith Lowe:

Harry Marshall: Harry was one of the most selfless men ever to come forward to serve VPH. He joined in 1932 and rarely missed a home fixture before World War II. In 1946, Harry was one of the first to return to Victoria Park and became a Trustee. It was the only office he ever held yet by officiating at our meetings and turning a hand to anything that needed doing at the track, our winter quarters, and eventually at our Headquarters, Harry was worth his weight in gold. Our President in 1958/9, he received the accolade of Life Vice President in 1962. Harry died in 1965.

Fred Moseley: Fred, always known as 'Mac', joined VPH in 1929 but although most of his sprinting was enjoyed as a first-claim member of Essex Beagles, he always retained an affection for Victoria Park. Mac first became a member of the committee in 1952 but business interests caused him to resign the following year. However, he was again elected in 1955 and served without a break for the next 10 years, for most of that time as Vice Chairman, an unobtrusive, guiding influence. At certain critical periods, Mac guaranteed the Club financial backing but he always shrank from the limelight and, although frequently pressed to become Club President, always declined to accept the honour. Mac was one of two people (Eugene Murnane was the other) who negotiated the purchase the Club Headquarters, and how well his business experience served VPH. The Agents for the Ecclesiastical Commissioners were approached, and after a good deal of hard bargaining which would have done credit to a horse dealer, a price was agreed which was about one half of the figure originally suggested by the Agents. To protect the buildings for future members and athletics in particular, a Trust was established in which was invested absolute control of the property. The original Trust members were Eugy Murnane, Tommy Whyman, Harry Marshall, and Mac, all VPH members of long standing and integrity. Mac died in October 1989.

Eugene Murnane: Eugene ("Eugy") Murnane came along to Victoria Park in 1932 and competed for us in high and long jumping, but his interest turned to hurdling, events not even thought of at the Park, and so Eugy went to Surrey AC. With Surrey, he had considerable success winning several Middlesex titles and, in 1939, took the Inter-Counties 440 yards hurdles title. In 1946, after service in the RAF, the tall and rangy Eugy, every inch a hurdler, returned to VPH simply with the idea of keeping fit. He occasionally turned out to high jump in Club matches and became increasingly involved as an official, usually as Track Referee. Apart from acting as Track Captain in 1950, he never occupied any particular office, but regularly took the Chair at committee meetings. He was a committee member from 1949 until 1966 and was elected President for 1953 - 54. Upon retirement, Eugy moved to the West Country where he was still enjoying life into the 21st century.

Rich Newbold:

Albert Pattison: It was in 1953 that Albert Pattison came to us from Loughton AC to boost our upwardly mobile middle to long distance contingent. Tall and lithesome, he had an insatiable appetite for interval running and his training programme was awesome. A stylish runner with a raking fluent stride, he brimmed with confidence. Within a year, he had been awarded his Middlesex colours for cross country (12th in the County Championships) and track (1st in the County 6 miles in a record-breaking 30:15.4). Selection by the AAA and impressive exposure in invitation meetings at White City placed 'Pat' on the crest of a wave. There was no distance he would not tackle from 880y and he steadily assembled a collection of Club Championship medals for track, road, and cross country. In 1956, he was awarded the Sullivan Trophy and, as his reputation grew, Pat invested in even greater feats of training. Emil Zatopek, Vladmir Kuts, and Gordon Pirie were the middle distance idols; more and more mileage, faster and faster strides, shorter and shorter intervals. Almost no one doubted the wisdom of the workload and the importance of sufficient rest to counter both the physical and mental stress was not recognised. Pat’s immense training workload eventually took its toll and by the winter of 1957, he had retired. Pat passed away in September 2001. His legacy remains into the 21st century as his club records for 1, 2, and 3 miles (over today’s equivalent metric distances) have not been surpassed. Club Historian, Gordon Everson, who, as Road and Cross Country Captain, had many a run-in with Pat over the years over Pat’s refusal to compete for the club at all opportunities, still had the grace to say that Pat was “the most naturally talented distance runner we ever had.”

Alf Pearson: One of the most popular figures at Victoria Park for more than three decades was that of Alf Pearson. He originally came to the Club in August 1935 and, with a particular liking for cross country, was a familiar face at winter events. Alf was little seen after the war until the late fifties when he returned to the fold and threw himself wholeheartedly into the work on our Headquarters; so much so that he was given the title of Warden. In subsequent years, Alf was an ever-present official at Club meetings and also tackled such tasks as producing club news sheets and sending in newspaper reports. Alf never sought any of the major secretarial positions but was prepared to meet the test when demanded and acted as our General Secretary from 1970 until 1974. In 1966/7, he was Club President. Alf died in 1991.

Harry Peck: Considered the founding member of Victoria Park Harriers in 1926, Harry Peck had been a quality sprinter with Cambridge Harriers around the turn of the century. He had long given up serious competition but in those early days could be persuaded to fill out the fields in handicap events and in 1929 won a 100 yards race from scratch. He was the Club’s Honorary Treasurer between 1931 and 1933 and again in 1936 but Harry's main interest lay in coaching. His experience and good judgement made him a natural handicapper and he also acted as timekeeper. Harry was the Club's much-respected father figure. With thumbs hooked into the pockets of a waistcoat which had known better times, and a tattered hand-rolled cigarette hanging from his lower lip, he would lean back on his heels and preside over training sessions; dispensing advice to any who asked for it and clocking people for their advantage or his own interest. Harry Peck enjoyed few of the material benefits of life but his influence was immense and it was recognised when in 1948 he was elected one of the two first VPH Life Vice Presidents. He was active as timekeeper at our home fixtures until the early 1950's when his sight began to fail. He died in 1965.

Freddie Plumm: One of the first returnees from the WWII was Freddie Plumm. Adopting the track captaincy, enthusiastically signing on, advising and encouraging newcomers, he bubbled with energy; words tumbled from him. Even when disappointed or exasperated – and Fred was often exasperated – he could soon conjure a smile and imbue confidence. A member since 1936, he loved running too much to specialise and in 1938 was placed second in both the 440 yards and 1 mile. In 1939, he equalled the Championship best when winning the 440y “Major Nathan” in 53.6 but, in inter-club events, Fred more often than not ran the 880 yards, a distance which brought him little success in Club Championships. Clearly he favoured half-miling for he chose to run in the 1939 Middlesex 880y and earn a ‘Standard’. In the 1938 Middlesex Junior XC Champs, Fred had been 20th, but he limited his efforts over the country and then played a supporting role. Enthusiasm for the road developed and in the Spring of 1939, he was a lower middle order member of our relay teams. We needed every man in the years 1946 to 1949 and Freddie played his part to the full. The years improved his stamina and he was 11th in the North of the Thames Inter-team race. Nevertheless, he still looked to the track for tangible reward. He never managed another club title, but Fred must have groaned when he came 2nd in the 1949 Club Mile after having been in the same spot in 1947 and 1948. Also in 1949, he collected a bronze medal for the Club 880y. Coaching came naturally to Fred and he helped members of Essex Ladies at Victoria Park. Living in Dagenham and not far from Cricklefields, he became increasingly involved with advising members of Ilford AC Ladies. Their gain was our loss; a great pity. Freddie passed on in 2000.

Ken Rouse: Ken Rouse was a Crown & Manor Boys Club product, winning one of VPH’s novice races before signing up in May 1947; he was 16 years old. Apparently geared to cross country, he placed 9th in the Middlesex Youths Cross Country Championships, but Ken had track ambitions. He knew that he wasn’t born to sprint and persevered with developing strength and pace, being rewarded with five Junior Club Championships over two seasons. In 1949, he lined up the 440y, 880y, and 1 mile. Two years with the RAF Air Sea Rescue gave him time to think about his running and he returned with firm ideas on training and tactics. Experimenting with uneven pace paid dividends. By 1953, Ken had so developed the ability to punch in a scorching third furlong over 880y, or the third quarter of a mile, that he regularly beat reputable opponents who had run faster. He could be reeled in, but Ken's determination to hold on was formidable. "The Surge" won for him in 1953 the Club 880y and 1 mile; he had never raced 3 miles on the track and went cautiously for a few laps in the Club Championships. Everson and Millward were also enjoying their baptism over the distance and hoped to be revenged for the loss of their titles but Ken wore them down. He set championship bests at all three distances and was awarded the "Sullivan" trophy. Over six foot tall, he deliberately did not employ his full stride and noticeably clipped it the faster he went. Hands held high and with head slightly tilted, he was a prominent figure and sustained a heavy racing program. Attacks of blood poisoning had to be overcome before Ken took the Club 880y again, in 1959 and the mile twice more in 1954 and 1958. He represented Middlesex and the Shipping AA, he earned AAA standards, and recorded personal bests of 1:57.0 (half mile), 4:18.2 (mile), and 14:56.5 (3 miles). Undoubtedly he represented VPH at 880y, 1 mile, and 3 miles more often than most. Once he caught the road running bug, Ken booked his place in most of our major races and was usually entrusted with the short anchor legs into Southend and Brighton but his finest effort on the road may have been the 18:38 he clocked in the 1959 'Ilford' race. Ken never retired. For many years, he toiled for our teams on road and country, even completing four London Marathons, the last one aged 62. Besides his distinguished running, Ken was Track Captain for three years and served on the Committee as an elected member or Vice President, almost continually. In 1967, Ken Rouse was elected President and he continued to train at the Club through the 1970’s. In 2008, Ken was still a Life Member, more than 60 years after first setting foot on the Victoria Park track.

John Schollhammer: Johnny Schollhammer joined VPH in 1957 at the age of 15. Reliabilty, strength and determination were his trademark assets. John was also versatile, capable in the sprints, happiest at 440y, unafraid of two laps, and prepared to tackle any field event made by man. He was rarely without a smile or retort. As a Junior, John ran personal bests of 10.5 (100y), 23.1 (220y), and 51.3 (440y). When he reached Senior status and maturity, increased bodyweight became difficult to carry. It is greatly to his credit that he didn’t fold up and in fact enjoyed a lengthy career. John could not better his junior sprint marks but he set PB's of 11.31m (37’ 1 1/2") in the Senior shot putt, 30.60m (100’5”) in the Senior discus, and 2:02 for the 880y. He was Track Captain in 1966, Club President in 1971 and in the late 60’s and early 70’s was one of the key figures in holding the club together during its lean times, one of the main reasons for his inclusion in the VPH Hall of Fame. He was made a Life Member in 1978 and still retains an interest in the club well into the 21st century.

Arthur Slade: More often than not, men who have best served VPH as officials were never better than average standard as athletes. Some never ran at all. In the former category was Arthur Slade, a half-miler with Woodford Green AC, who for a few years competed in our handicaps and as a second-claim member. When the time came to hang up his spikes, Arthur became one of VPH’s handicappers and suffered the slings and arrows of the position from 1934 until the fifties. Besides being an Honorary Trustee, he also acted as marksman for Ernie Wiseman and was one of the 'old reliables' for many years. Arthur was almost as keen on soccer as he was on athletics and it was on a trip to Wembley Stadium that he died in 1963.

Fred Smith: For the preservation of VPH’s silverware, the Club had a Trustee of the Club, Fred Smith to thank. To protect it from the bombing, Fred had obtained permission from his employers to place our cups and trophies in the vaults of his firm and so they came safely through the war. Fortunately, so did Fred! Fred was elected a Live Vice President in 1953 and died the same year.

Lord Trefgarne Sr: From the first year of the Club’s existence until his death in 1960, Captain George Morgan Garro-Jones was a Patron of Victoria Park Harriers. A Member of Parliament for South Hackney in 1926, he was raised to the Peerage in 1946 as 1st Baron Trefgarne. At the 1927 AGM, Captain Garro-Jones presented a cup to the Club as a One Mile Championship Trophy which was presented to the mile champion as recently as 2006. The Committee Room in the Club’s Cadogan Terrace headquarters was decorated and furnished to the memory of Lord Trefgarne by the generosity of his wife, Lady Trefgarne, in 1962.

John Turner: John joined VPH way back in September 1936, no doubt inspired by the Berlin Olympics which had been held just a couple of weeks earlier. John made useful contributions as a cross country runner and as early as 1938 was part of the 10-man team which finished 3rd of 10 teams behind Woodford Green and Ilford in the inaugural road race organised by Wadham Harriers. During World War II, John served with the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment and by 1942 found himself in East Bengal. The British soldier doesn't need an excuse to get up some sporting event and while the Old 62nd was at Comilla, a regimental athletics championships gave John the opportunity to win the 1-mile title from a field of some twenty ‘Tommies’. After the war, the Club's first taste of success over the country came in the 1948 North of the Thames Inter-team race when VPH were third out of 28 clubs over familiar ground at Woodford. John was part of that scoring team. In 1949, Geoff Iden, the Club's future 1952 GB Olympic Marathon representative, decided to take up the marathon. This encouraged other members to attempt the longer distances on the road, including John, and before long VPH could boast one of the most formidable teams in the country. That same year, the Polytechnic Marathon saw the Club take 4th place in the team race. Although mainly a road and cross country runner, John also dabbled on the track. One of his better-known races was when he took on five-time 3-mile Club Champion Dick Carpenter in that event. John gave it all but had to settle for a fine silver medal as Dick romped home to win, clocking 15:30 to beat John by 10 yards after a memorable battle. After that, John assumed more of an administrative role at the club. After serving as Cross Country Captain immediately after the war, John went on to become Honorary Auditor in 1955 before taking on Honorary Treasurer duties from 1957 - 1959. John was also mentioned in Club dispatches as a significant contributor to repairing the semi-derelict Cadogan Terrace Clubhouse when the Club took possession in the late 50's. John also had other talents as was shown by his Directorship at Ilford Golf Club. His last appearance at a Club function was at the VPH 75th Anniversary Dinner in September 2001. That night, Club President Wayne DuBose asked all members to rise. He then reeled off the decades in reverse order asking the members to sit as he called out their decade. From the 2000's, to the 1990's, the 1980's, people were sitting down in large numbers. The 1970's, the 1960's, by the 1950's, there were only a handful standing. When Wayne asked those who joined the Club in the 1940's to please sit down, only John remained standing. A fine way to remember John Turner and all he did for the Club. After almost 69 years of membership to first Victoria Park Harriers and subsequently VPH&THAC, John Turner passed away in 2005 at the grand age of 90 years.

Major Arthur Villiers: The Honorable Arthur Villiers, recipient of the Distinguished Service Order, did so much for the Eton Manor Club in particular, youth and sport in general and the elderly in the East End. As Patron of Victoria Park Harriers from 1938 to 1966, among his many gestures, Major Villiers made available the Backyard Club for evening winter training during the late 1940’s and 1950’s. Shortly after the Cadogan Terrace headquarters was purchased, with his aid, the main hall was completely redecorated, and as a ladies' section had been started, an additional shower room and lavatories were installed.

Tom Whyman: Tom was one of the key members so important to VPH’s story of the renovation of the current Headquarters just after it was purchased. Tommy Whyman joined VPH as a junior in 1933. His powerful build encouraged him to concentrate on the track with an excursion now and then on the road. He was at his best during the late thirties when he won the Club One Mile Championship but, like so many others, he was robbed by the War. He returned to us in 1946 and took part in road, track, and cross country races, being Cross Country Captain in 1948. He even threw the javelin on occasion and coached some of our most promising young distance runners. Tom was on the committee for three years and served as a Trustee for 15 years. He was a master builder by trade and, as such, was a blessing to the St Augustine premises. His expert advice and voluntary offers of both materials and labour were invaluable and it is difficult to see how the clubhouse could have been restructured and maintained without him. Sadly, he died prematurely from a heart attack in 1975.

Ernie Wiseman: As far back as the Fifties, it was generally accepted that Ernie Wiseman and Wally Stokes were founder members. They were revered as such, but a membership/address book compiled by George Hemsworth in 1945 revealed that Ernie was elected as a member on October 10th, 1926, pretty close of course yet not close enough to the 26th August start date. However, he was immediately co-opted onto the Committee for he had years of experience with North London Harriers. At the 1947 AGM, it was decided to create a new office, that of Life Vice President, as a means of recognising long and exceptional service. Ernie (along with Harry Peck) immediately had the distinction conferred upon him and so became the first of very few to attain the office. Ernie was the Honorary Secretary in 1927-8 and was a club official until the early 1950’s. He died 1976.