RIP Iain Pearson

Dear All,

It is with great sadness that we have to inform you of the passing of Iain Pearson on Friday 3^rd April.  You may have already heard the sad news but I wanted to make sure everyone was aware.  Graham very kindly put together the words below about Iain’s contribution to the club.

This is a very sad time for Effingham & Leatherhead RFC. The news was unexpected and came as a result of an operation required after a fall where he suffered a broken pelvis .

Iain became involved in the Club in the 1980’s when his eldest son Stuart came to play in the Juniors followed by his younger brother Robert. Robert continued to play for the club up to senior level. 

Iain stayed involved helping to develop the Minis and Juniors and continued by helping on finances and later on the distribution of international tickets for many years.  His wife Val had to put up with the lounge carpet being covered in tickets as they were allocated and put into envelopes and eventually a stamp applied. Slightly different to E Distribution, a good thing as new IT was never his strong point. Mobile phones remained something he was never prepared to join in with.

 

It is fair to say Iain had a soft spot for the Club and made many friends. He was always in the back ground helping wherever he could and often made very generous financial contributions wherever he felt it would benefit the Club. No return was expected except the knowledge he had helped.  He made the last of his generous donation only a few weeks ago.Iain was always wanting to try to strengthen the 1st Team and a constant Holy Grail. His wife Val remembers an occasion on holiday in New Zealand getting off their coach on a tour, seeing big guys that looked like they were New Zealand rugby players, Iain approached them to the embarrassment of his wife and asked them if they wanted to play for Effingham in the Uk . They thanked him but kindly declined. They were apparently playing professionally in their own country!!

 

Iain contributed in many ways but an area he enjoyed was helping and attending pre game lunches and always happy to provide raffles prizes .He loved to sound grumpy and disapproving but that was a front. He had a sense of humour and a kind heart as shown in his recent reincarnation as our roving reporter. Not only informative but showing a fine turn of wry humour. How he managed at his age to provide the details of the game and all scores from a couched position on the touch line was a marvel to behold. The installation of CCTV/VEO in the clubhouse was a great addition for Iain on a miserable winter day.

 

Many people enjoyed his PS as much as his match report.Iain has been involved with many generations of our rugby sides over the years, and as testament to his support of the Club, present senior sides and management will miss him as much as previous generations. A true gentleman of the club and someone we will all miss terribly – our thoughts are with Valerie and his family