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Dick Metcalf
Graeme Clark9 Nov 2020 - 08:44
Dick Metcalf Statement From The Club Life President
As Club Life President, I have been deeply saddened by the passing of so many Chingford
RFC members over the past year or so and specifically since the onset of the coronavirus
pandemic. We have already lost John Dunnaway, John Vise, Jeff Carratt, Mick Short, Don
Batts and Mick Fullbrook. I knew all these gentlemen, who not only played for Chingford
RFC, but went on to fulfil many other roles in their later years, as coaches, committee
members, secretary and president to support the Club.
And now, equally sadly, we have lost Dick Metcalf, a Club stalwart and gentleman – as those mentioned above - in every sense of the word. Dick was a prop, albeit he did not carry the expected bulk for such a position. Indeed, Dick was invariably considerably smaller than just about every opposition prop he played against. Yet, time and time again, I would watch him physically out-manoeuvre and out-scrummage a legion of large opponents whose subsequent facial expressions, as to how they had been bent, twisted and shunted backwards, were a source of great amusement to us all.
But it was Dick’s temperament which, on many occasions, subdued heated situations and
placated the ire of many, that set him apart from the rest of us. I knew Dick for over 40
years and had the privilege of playing with him for a large portion of that time. And, during
this entire period, I never once heard Dick raise his voice, let alone allow himself to become
angry, despite immense provocation in many games from the very props he had bent,
twisted and shunted backwards.
Of course, those of us who knew Dick also knew of his teaching career and the fact that he
served as a headmaster for many years, which clearly was the foundation for his remarkable
calm and soothing resolve. But, it went beyond that. Dick was simply a gentleman in every
respect, soft spoken, never having a bad word for anyone and seeing good in every facet of
life. He was humble to a fault, declining, for example, the opportunity to be President of
Chingford RFC, because, as he said to me “I have not done enough for the Club to be worthy of the honour”. I had the utmost respect for him and sought his counsel on many occasions.
I will miss Dick immensely as I know will a very great number of his fellow Chingford RFC
members. What makes his loss even more difficult to come to grips with is that, in the
current circumstances, most of us will not be able to attend his funeral to pay our last
respects. Notwithstanding, I know that he will be in the minds and thoughts of all within
Chingford RFC – a wonderful man, a Club stalwart and a great friend. A Legend.
Thomas Hardy
Club Life President
RFC members over the past year or so and specifically since the onset of the coronavirus
pandemic. We have already lost John Dunnaway, John Vise, Jeff Carratt, Mick Short, Don
Batts and Mick Fullbrook. I knew all these gentlemen, who not only played for Chingford
RFC, but went on to fulfil many other roles in their later years, as coaches, committee
members, secretary and president to support the Club.
And now, equally sadly, we have lost Dick Metcalf, a Club stalwart and gentleman – as those mentioned above - in every sense of the word. Dick was a prop, albeit he did not carry the expected bulk for such a position. Indeed, Dick was invariably considerably smaller than just about every opposition prop he played against. Yet, time and time again, I would watch him physically out-manoeuvre and out-scrummage a legion of large opponents whose subsequent facial expressions, as to how they had been bent, twisted and shunted backwards, were a source of great amusement to us all.
But it was Dick’s temperament which, on many occasions, subdued heated situations and
placated the ire of many, that set him apart from the rest of us. I knew Dick for over 40
years and had the privilege of playing with him for a large portion of that time. And, during
this entire period, I never once heard Dick raise his voice, let alone allow himself to become
angry, despite immense provocation in many games from the very props he had bent,
twisted and shunted backwards.
Of course, those of us who knew Dick also knew of his teaching career and the fact that he
served as a headmaster for many years, which clearly was the foundation for his remarkable
calm and soothing resolve. But, it went beyond that. Dick was simply a gentleman in every
respect, soft spoken, never having a bad word for anyone and seeing good in every facet of
life. He was humble to a fault, declining, for example, the opportunity to be President of
Chingford RFC, because, as he said to me “I have not done enough for the Club to be worthy of the honour”. I had the utmost respect for him and sought his counsel on many occasions.
I will miss Dick immensely as I know will a very great number of his fellow Chingford RFC
members. What makes his loss even more difficult to come to grips with is that, in the
current circumstances, most of us will not be able to attend his funeral to pay our last
respects. Notwithstanding, I know that he will be in the minds and thoughts of all within
Chingford RFC – a wonderful man, a Club stalwart and a great friend. A Legend.
Thomas Hardy
Club Life President
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