It was with "Swaff" between the posts that the 1st team were crowned 2SE champions in 1985. Including 10 years as 1st XI keeper, the playing boots were finally hung up after 25 years in 2000.

Off the pitch, Swaff was the Bar Chairman, racking up an unbelievable 20 year stint as the bar steward at the former club house in Valentines Park, Ilford.

An unpaid role, the bar was opened Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for functions and for club members by Swaff, something which we would struggle to find matched today.

It was with this phenomenal service to the Club that Swaff was made a Life Time Vice President, an incredibly rare honour.

Whilst there are not many current members of the Club today that may have met and played with him, I am sure we will all rightly offer our thanks to Ian Peter "Swaff" Swaffer for everything he contributed to Redbridge & Ilford Hockey Club.

Chris Allen
Club Captain