It is with great sadness that we announce the recent death of Vice-president, former player and men’s 1st XI Manager, Dick Morris.

Although Dick played most of his hockey at Old Loughtonians HC, he joined Chelmsford in the latter years of his playing career as a regular in the 1970s/80s Veterans XI under the captaincy of John Green.

Upon retiring from playing Dick continued to take a keen interest in the club and became the club’s first Men’s 1st XI Manager, overseeing East League Premier Division titles in 1989/90 and 1990/91, the second of which led to the men’s initial, but short-lived, foray into the National League.

Dick was also instrumental in introducing some of the club’s first commercial sponsors – GCM 600 and Broad Oak Farm Sausages – both of whom enjoyed long-standing sponsorship arrangements with our men’s and women’s 1st XIs respectively.  Although, perhaps his most visible contribution to the club was designing and donating two heavy duty bespoke covers, to be placed over spare goals at the side of the pitch, to create temporary “weather-proof” team benches on the original council pitch.  These covers were remarkably effective over many years at protecting substitutes, coaches and managers from the infamous Chelmer Park elements!

Dick’s significant contribution to the club was subsequently recognised with his election as a club Vice-president.

Our thoughts are with Dick’s family, including his son Paul, a former men’s 1st XI player.

We understand that there will be a small family-only funeral.  Details of a celebration of Dick’s life, at which all are welcome, will be announced in due course.