OSAmag88

T h e O l d S t a t i o n e r - N o 8 8
Sport remained important to Barry
throughout his life . He played soccer for
Hendon in a team with current amateur
internationals. In Germany doing his
National Service he played in teams with
full professional internationals . However ,
at Hendon, twice a week training became
too much and he switched to golf.
He was a golf playing member at South
Herts. for 30 years getting down to a single
figure handicap.
Finally he had season tickets at Arsenal
and Spurs with the writer for over 20 years
although basically he was a "Gooner".
His other main interest was jazz where he
was an internationally acclaimed writer.
He had 7 books on jazz published and had
a column in Jazz Journal for over 30 years.
This interest took him to New Orleans,
New York and Nice for annual jazz
festivals.
He was a natural raconteur who could
hold an audience with humorous stories
and monologues although his pure London
accent was not to everybody's taste.
His wife, Sylvia, and daughter, Fiona,
supported him in all his activities and
interests and indeed Sylvia would often
travel with him on his jazz excursions.
Always gregarious and good humoured he
will be missed.
Stuart Behn
RICHARD IRVING
‘DICKIE’ RUNDLE
1937-2018
We are sorry to announce the passing of
Richard (‘Dickie’) Rundle on Saturday
17th February at the age of 90. He died
peacefully at St Richard’s Hospital,
Chichester; loving husband of the late
Barbara, cherished father of Nick and
Mandy and devoted grandad to Charlie
and Sam.
Dickie was a true stalwart of the Old
Stationers’ Football Club from the late ‘40s
onwards whether as a player, official or
supporter. He first began his playing career
while still at school (as did many who
followed in his footsteps). Fresh out of
service in the Tank Corps he was a member
of the side that won the Old Boys’ Senior
Cup final in 1949. He was 1st XI captain
for 3 seasons (1951/52 to 1953/54) and led
the side to the club’s first 3rd Division
Senior Southern Amateur League (SAL)
title in 1952/53. This was to mark the
beginning of the club’s climb up the ranks
of the SAL later in the decade. During this
time he was an inspirational skipper and
one who engendered an unrivalled team
spirit. He revelled in the thick Barnet clay
with a style all of his own - according to
folk-law six feet sliding tackles, bullet
headers and a kick like a mule. A centre
forward turned left back!
In an official capacity he served as Hon
Secretary from 1956/57-1960/61; then as
Club President from 1976 to 1994.
As a supporter he was often to be seen
during the later years with his great friend,
Ralph Read, standing on the line at a
variety of venues south of the river (he
lived in Cheam) encouraging mainly the
ones or the twos to redouble their efforts
on the field of play.
Dickie was, moreover, one of life’s great
administrators putting so much back into
the game he loved. He served on the SAL
Committee for many years having joined
in 1960. From 1967 until 1986 he held the
office of Vice-Chairman of the SAL
Committee and in 1987 he was elected
Vice President of the SAL.
In essence, Dickie had joined a select list of
Old Stationers who can truly be held in
near legendary status for their contribution
both on the playing and administration
sides of the football club over a significant
period of time; and for spreading the good
name of the club throughout the Southern
Amateur League and Old Boys’ Cup
competitions.
Dickie was always the perfect gentleman,
kind and generous to a fault. Friends and
colleagues will recall his infectious
enthusiasm and cheery demeanour. He
was invariably the life and soul of the party,
a raconteur par excellence in particular on
those Saturday nights in the fifties in the
old clubhouse when he was frequently
asked to perform his recitation ‘Harpin’.
Let us hope that he makes “The Golden
OSFC 1952/3 1st X1 Division 3 winners - Dickie Rundle is centre of the front rowrow
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