Maurice Dale - 1938 - 2010
by Iain Ross, 24 December 2010:
Sadly Maurice Dale a member of our Branch passed away peacefully in his sleep on Thursday 16th December 2010.
Maurice had been a member of our branch for several years and used to come to our home games for the past 5 years. Maurice was a very reserved sort of person but hidden away was another side of hidden talents. Maurice was in fact made, whilst serving on the Committee, an Honorary Life Member for all he had done for us - the only serving person to be so honoured by us.
Maurice was a great cook and along with Lynne, his wife, used to entertain in his house members of the branch, ten at a time to a Sunday dinner of a very high stadard which he charge £20 a head - the proceeds of which were paid straight into our Branch account - nothing taken out for expenses.
He showed another side of his talents when he joined Zak at the Havehill Rugby club and put on a gig for the branch leaving members amazed at his voice - not satisfied with this he joined up with Zak and brought Matt Monro Junior to the Arts Theatre in Haverhill and put on another show for the Branch - again no expenses - everything taken going into Branch funds. I will not say how much he raised on his own for us but it was a great deal.
He claimed that he only came to the home games on the coach to accompany his father in law but strangely if his father in law could not come - Maurice was still there. There was a bit of a family trend towards supporting Ipswich - his son Neil used to come on the bus as a teenager and now two of his grandsons who also have Season Tickets holders join us on the Coach from time to time.
In his younger days Maurice was a keen player for Barnby Boys - his dedication was such that he would cycle to and from Ellingham to Barnby - a matter of five miles in all weather - often with cardboard in his boots stopping the rain getting into the holes in them. Hopefully he will be forgiven for having another team as his first love - EVERTON - attending home games when he used to live in Liverpool. At least they played in Blue.
Maurice enjoyed bringing fresh ideas to raise money for the Branch but in one area he was a flop - the Branch Quizzes - where you would see him staring into space - in the end he asked me if he could sell the raffle tickets instead of answering the questions. Needless to say he was great at that and we always had a good profit.
He loved the banter on the coach on the skills or otherwise after a game of the team, manager, players etc. and the fortunes and misfortunes of the Blues. Despite increasing ill health he managed to enjoy a game or two at Portman Road this season.
I am sad to say that I shall miss Maurice as a true friend but at the same time grateful to have been able to have the chance of having him as a friend. The Branch will be sadder without him but it is no surprise that even at the end he thought of us wishing that flowers came from the family and others instead of flowers people would make donations to be split between three organisations including the Branch - his big wish was to see the bus continue to run.
Thank you Maurice for all you did for us.
Report by Iain Ross, 16 October 2010:
Members of the Branch Committee all who have given over 25 years service each to the Supporters Club:-
From Left to Right:-
Martin Thurlbourne - Vice-Chairman, Eddie Last - Chairman, Betty Cooper and Julie Cooper - until recently Betty has been Branch Secretary but whilst remaining on the Committee has resigned as Secretary because of ill health.
On either side are Liz Edwards - Chair of the Main Supporters group and Simon Clegg - Chief Executive of Ipswich Town Football Club.
Report by Iain Ross, 11 July 2010:
I have recently been asked to take up the position of Secretary of our Branch, taking over from Betty Cooper who has decided to step down from this position after many years of service. I am pleased to say that Betty is still going to remain on our committee helping with seat bookings for the coach trips to the home matches etc.
Whilst I am honoured and delighted to serve the Branch in this way, with a club that I have supported since 1946, we really would like the task carried out by a younger person - I am over 75 and we need somebody to do this job who ideally would be able to carry on as long as Betty has. If anyone is willing to join our committee and learn over a period of time please contact me on the number listed below.
All are welcome on our coaches even though we run them at a loss to keep the cost of travel to a reasonable level to members. As a result of this we are also a very active Branch with the Committee arranging many fund-raising projects.
Come and join us and see for yourselves.
The Haverhill Branch committee have thanked Betty for her efficient and very friendly services as secretary over many years. It will be a tough act to follow.
Committee details for Season 2011/12
CHAIRMAN
Eddie Last
4 Warren Road
Red Lodge
Bury St Edmunds
IP28 8JU
Telephone 01638 751380
VICE CHAIRMAN
Martin Thulbourne
16 Horsham Close
Haverhill
Suffolk
CB9 7HN
Telephone 01440 712180
SECRETARY
Iain Ross,
34 Broad Street
Haverhill
Suffolk
CB9 9HD
Telephone 01440 763772
Mobile 07598 140665
Email i.ross01@btinternet.com
TREASURER
Max Eason
1 Chapel Drive
Haverhill
Suffolk
CB9 ODG
Telephone 01440 705170
Email max_eason@hotmail.com
MINUTES SECRETARY
Sue Shepherd
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:-
Betty Cooper, Julie Cooper, David Grimster, Stuart Isaacs, Derek Ling, Barry Miller,
Alan Parsley, Kathy Whiting, Richard Brown and Rosemary Brown
Co-opted committee members to represent Keddington - Mick Robinson, Margaret Turner and Chris Turner
Please note: All correspondence concerning the Branch should be addressed to the Branch Secretary, who, if necessary will pass it on to the committee member concerned.
Haverhill Branch committee members Max, Eddie, Iain, and Martin
