LITTLE LEAGUE 'OLD FARTS'

A	I	Q
Betty Ardley	(none)	(none)
B	J	R
(none)	(none)	Alan Raddon
C	K	S
(none)	(none)	Len Smart
D	L	T
Derick Diggins Dave Drewett	(none)	Brian Thornton Jack Tomkins Kevin Tomkins David Taylor
E	M	U
(none)	Jean Morris "Mac"	(none)
F	N	V
Brian Fenwick Lee Fenwick Peter Fordham	(none)	(none)
G	O	W
Brian Goodall	(none)	Geoff Watson
H	P	X,Y,Z
Derek Howell Paul Homer	(none)	Tom Young

BETTY ARDLEY(Top)
Betty ran the cafa for twenty years until her untimely death in 1988

Derrick Diggins(Top)
In 1983, the quiet and yet determined Derrick Diggins took over the role of Treasurer, and has presided over a five-fold financial expansion, managing the investments so astutely that income from this source has now become a major contributor to League funds

Dave Drewett (Top)
Assisting and then managing his beloved Footman from 1972 to 1986, with a spell as Social Secretary included, Rep Team Manager, and even a while as Referees Secretary.

Brian Fenwick(Top)
Started as an assistant with Elm in 1971, but then assisted with Footman between 1997 and 1986, doubling as Treasurer between 1974 and 1983 - a great contribution to seeing the League throughout those early and difficult years

Lee Fenwick (Top)
Ex-players began to emerge - Lee Fenwick assisted and then managed Mays for twelve years from 1974, leading them to several Cup successes, and then the ultimate and elusive League triumph

(Top)
Some Morden Little Leaguers can be thought of only in pairs
Brian Goodall (1969 -1983)
and Peter Fordham (1972 - 1983)
Brian and Peter managed Remco throughout that period, always with good organisation and a smile, and occasionally with a bit of success on the field, but little league doesn't judge on that basis, more on the criteria of the generous and genuine involvement of people like Brain and Peter

Jeff Gray (Top)
International
For those of you who may not be aware, Morden little league lost one of it’s most loved, larger than life characters in 2003. Jeff Gray, who along with his buddy, Bob Bush, were without doubt Mordens most successful managerial team in our 42 year history. Jeff first came to us when we formed the fledgling junior league back in 1986 when we took the step to enlarge the league to 10 teams.
Like Len Smart, Jeff was a source of great amusement and never more so than at 3am in Apeldoorn town centre when Geoff Watson would try to remind us we had an important tournament to see to in ‘a few hours time’ In fact, Jeff even arranged for his other footballing love, Van Dyke vets, to play at Groen wit’s annual friendship tournament.
After an initial approach from some of our senior managers and after consultation with his family, it was agreed that from 2003 onwards, the senior teams will now play for the ‘Jeff Gray International Trophy’
Half a page is no where near enough space to pay tribute to the legacy he will leave behind at little league, that was perhaps best highlighted at his memorial service at a packed Emmanuel church when people literally stood in the car park to pay their respects.

Derek Howell (Top)
The nineteen years between 1972 and 1991 saw Derek Howell lead Watliff in his uniquely caring style, perhaps the real face of Little League, epitomised by his photo and his great company on the early trips to Holland

Paul Homer(Top)
Paul had a varied career, Referees Secretary for two spells (1977 to1980, and 1987 to 1989), working with Elm (1980 - 82) and Mays (1983 -86), and left the League stronger than it was before

Jean Morris(Top)
Jean was everything you wanted from a little league parent. She was there as a supporter at the beginning, a sponsor in the middle and a café coordinator long after her boys had finished playing. Jean finally succumbed to her long battle against illness in early 2004 and we have subsequently named an award after her. Although, you would need to ask one of the English party at 2am on a Sunday morning what it is for. Suffice to say, it’s in line with Jean's love of partying

"Mac" (Top)
The legendary St John's man of the seventies, who supported the League every week for many years, and is now sadly no longer with us.

Ron Nichols (Mays 1970 to 1979, and Lottery to 1982)
Tony Norbury(Elm 1970 to 1980, Rep Team Manager,
Manager of the National Rep Team to the USA in 1980)

ALAN RADDON

After leaving Morden Little League where he was Assistant Manager (Watliff Dynamos), a referee, Referee's Secretary and did other roles, Alan Raddon went on to set up Wimbledon Little League and then moved on to Sunday morning youth football with starting the Apollo Boys Football League(Text thanks to John Raddon)

LEN SMART(Top)
League President, sponsor of a team in each section, and a major contributor to everything that the league has undertaken since it was founded Len Smart was involved in everything to do with Morden Little League Football. He was there at the beginning, helping Frank Adey and Ron Hobbs to get things going, he was there throughout the seventies and early eighties, when there was only one section, and he was there throughout the expansion in the late eighties and into the nineties. But most of all, Len loved these International Weekends - here in Morden, playing Host to our friends from Groen Wit, planning the days and evenings out, and entertaining in style; and of course in Apeldoorn, where he played the archetypal English Gentleman abroad - expansive, generous, smoking a cigar large enough to make Churchill envious. He was a good old stick, we miss him !

Brian Thornton(Top)
Brian who started as a referee in 1969, was alternately Chair and Secretary in two year stints between 1971 and 1979 and then chair in the great expansion years between 1984 and 1993, whilst still officiating a three matches every week. He put up his boots end of 2008-2009 season for a very well deserved break. It is doubtful that any other league has been fortunate to have such a worthy character at the helm, always shunning the limelight, a strong and determined personality, who never let it all become too serious in those heated moments

Jack Tomkins (Top)
Who led Watliff from 1972 to 1980, and then Mays from 1986 to 1991, managing the Rep Team in the latter years, also in the position as Chair always a strong supporter of expansion. We also lost our former chairman and vice president in 2004. Jack was also to be found propping up the bar at the Cantharel Motel in Apeldoorn on several occasions. But as with Len and Jeff, Jack will always be remembered by us old’uns for their contribution in expanding MLLF from it’s original 80 boys into what you see here every week. Indeed, Jack was very successful during his time as manager of Watliff and Mays Lions and was immensely proud to see son Kevin and grandson Stuart, continuing the family association with us at KGF.

Kevin Tomkins(Top)
Ex-player Kevin Tomkins, who began as Assistant with Mays in 1979, transferred to Remco in 1983, and managed the Rep Team with outstanding success for a decade, besides organising the Lottery and being National Executive Rep - Quite a career with more to come. Kevin has also been chair and his latest role of League tresurer came to a end in 2007


David Taylor(Top)
Having served his apprenticeship as third man with Switchgear, managed Elm between 1982 -92, helped with the Rep Team, and was Social Secretary in a decade of great commitment to the League.

Geoff Watson(Top)
Most people know this man after his many years(over 20years) at the helm of little league(secretary). Now soaking up the sun in the Spanish regions but always keeping interested in the charity he gave many years to.

Tom Young(Top)
1978 saw the ever dependable Tom Young began his unfinished career with Switchgear, with some great successes, and always playing in the true spirit of Little League, probably the most successful ever manager on the field

The list above only tells half the story, with names such as Pat Adams, Alex Brown,
Tony Brown(Doyle Award 1988) , Bob Bush, Steve Clementson, Chris Ellis, Geoff Everard, Brian Ford, Derek Hayes (Doyle Award 1992) , Keith Hicks, Alan Hook,
Terry Kempton, Maddi and Ken Mason(Doyal Award 1990), George Mellor, Dennis O'Carroll, Ricky Poole, Alan Raddon, Bill Rothery, Trevor Solomon, Kev Taylor,
John Vernon, Mark Watson, Graham Whitlock, John Willis and Dave Wylie, Paul Baily