In a week when national football lost a “gentleman” in Sir Bobby Robson, local football has also lost one of its truly great gentlemen and stalwarts in John Dell who sadly passed away on 3rd August 2009 .
Churchill said “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”. Without doubt the same can be said of local football where so much is owed by so many, players, referees and club officials alike to the selfless work John gave in providing them with football each Saturday afternoon.
John’s involvement stretches back to playing for Mortimer FC as a fourteen year old before taking on the role of Club Secretary and then joining the Reading & District Football League in the 1960’s rising to the role of League Chairman.
It was during his time as Chairman that John oversaw the successful merger to the Reading & District League and Reading Combination Football League that resulted in the Reading Football League coming into being on 16th July 1988.
After a short spell as Deputy Chairman, John took on the mantle of Chairman once again in 1990, a position he held for seventeen years before stepping down and being awarded the Presidency and a Life Membership of the League in 2007 for his services to the League.
John adhered to a tremendous sense of fairness and was always willing to talk football with anyone while seeking to inspire those around him to provide and deliver the best they could. He was generous in his praise but equally was not afraid to express an opinion and let people know what he was thinking even if it ruffled a few feathers.
However, these actions and his drive as Chairman, is what has made the League what it is today in being one of the leading Step 7 FA National System Leagues.
John’s commitment to football also saw him serve as a Berks & Bucks FA County Councillor and his services to football had seen him receive the prestigious Lionel Gibbs award from the BBFA.
If ever a person is irreplaceable then that person is John Dell, who will be missed by so many who without doubt will be glad to say they knew John and respected him for what he gave the game.
On behalf of the Reading Football League, I send heart felt condolences to his wife Sue and sons Colin and Steve.
