Tote Enders in the sky

Great character will always a smile on his face. Sincere condolences to Dale's family and friends.

I have posted this elsewhere but as KP has passed on this news here I am sharing my tribute to a real character.

I was really sad to learn of Dale's passing last night. I got to know him when he was part of Bristol Rovers Supporters JFC. A brilliant coach of young players. Dale formed the club in collaboration with Alan Cross and they truly created something out of nothing. Within a few years of it's founding there were hundreds of boys playing football in Bristol Rovers colours. My own son George started to play for them at the age of 5 and Dale's influence ran right through the club, I became involved in a minor way because of my link to the official supporters club.

He built a brilliant side in the age-group below George's and many of them spent time in Rovers youth set up, so good were they. Dale coached George for a season or so and was a great influence on him before he had to concentrate on one age-group, that was very much George's loss.

He was such a character that eventually I had to write a piece about him in the Bristol Rovers programme in my "Pirate Eye" column and remember going to his house to interview him and his family. My favourite story that he recounted was when he went to get some milk, finished up in the the pub on what was I think was a Thursday with Rovers playing Blackpool on the Saturday, somehow Dale didn't get home until Sunday having just popped out for a pint of milk! I remember Sarah rolling her eyes as the tale was told, but it was clear that she loved him, footballing warts and all!

What was clear was that he was a football man through and through, when he talked you listened and respected him. He managed to find me a photo of him playing keepy-uppy to accompany the piece in the programme, but insisted that it should be photo-shopped to give him a slimmer profile! Naturally I complied with his wish!

Later on when Josh his son had a very bad experience as a young referee I was able to weave a little magic with the assistance of Tony Mills who then looked after the refs at Rovers home matches to help him get back out on the pitch. I did it because of Dale and his influence on a number of young lads who he helped up the football ladder.

The other thing I remember about him was his organisation of the summer tournaments at Bristol Rovers Supporters JFC. Somehow despite the apparent chaos going on as everyone rushed around prepping pitches and refereeing matches he remained calm and got it all done. One tournament was held just near the old Filton Airport on land owned by Bristol Rugby Club. We had to deal with torrential rain which flooded some of the pitches and the PA failed. Somehow Dale remained calm and he managed to get the tournament completed, with thousands of players competing over two days.

My sincere condolences to his family. I hope that his funeral will be well publicised because I am sure that there will be many people whose lives he touched who will want to pay their respects. RIP Dale.

Kind regards

John Malyckyj

Beautiful piece, JM, you've got an eye for writing!! 

I took over as secretary at Oldland Abbotonians in 2014 and after Jimmy Brown/Nigel Lee had left, Dale took over for a while as manager. Always happy for a chat about football and although he was a strong character, the sort of person you'd want on your side and not the opposition, he was a good man to his core.

We had our fallings out but every time without fail, he'd be there with a pint waiting on the bar for me next time we met. Used to take the p**s about YTFC but always in a good natured way. 

Last saw him a few months back at Oldland where he'd taken over as club groundsman. Had a coffee (well, it was 11am!) and a chinwag about football and he'd lost a lot of weight by then, looked quite trim. 

Loved his Rovers, loved his West Ham and loved his family. This particular part of Bristol is poorer for his passing. 

Rest in peace, gaffer, you will be sorely missed.