|
| Bob More in goal for the 3rd XI in 1985
|
|
Bob More, who was an ever-present member of the OCHC for a decade and a half after leaving Cranleigh, has died at the age of 45. As a goalkeeper for the 3rd XI and 4th XIs, Bob was one of the most reliable club members both on and off the pitch, and it was sad when he retired even though he was only just 30.
David Knapp, who knew Bob probably longer than almost anyone, said: "I first came across Bob at my prep school St Andrews, Woking in 1968 from where he followed me to Cranleigh in 1974 into East. Bob was always a very keen sportsman and one of the brighter boys in the class at both schools. At St Andrews, Bob played cricket for the 1st XI in 1972 and 1973. Having left Cranleigh Bob started working in the insurance industry as an insurance assessor.
"He lived in Woking all his life and by one of those odd quirks of fate purchased a flat in the same block of flats in which I purchased my first flat - our paths were destined to cross at regular paths throughout his life.
"Hockey was Bob's main sport at Cranleigh and on leaving he slipped seamlessly into the OC Hockey Club and was a regular performer in between the posts. Although we had not seen Bob at TD for a number of years he was always up to date with our progress and results and a true Old Cranleighan.
"I had not seen Bob for a few years but from all accounts he had not changed from being a popular guy who will be missed by all his friends and family."
Richard Seeckts, who played for a number of years with Bob and alsoshared the delights of several Worthing Festivals with him, said: "Bob played for every OC men's team as goalkeeper, stepping up when others were unavailable, and down when they came back. He was cheerful and committed whichever team he played for, usually the 3rd or 4th XI. His avuncular warmth and enthusiasm for OC hockey and cricket were great comfort to young OC's starting out in the hurly burly of Thames Ditton. Recruitment would have been much harder without him.
"At Worthing Easter festivals he was expert at piecing together the previous evening for others over breakfast, then brave enough to stand in goal while his team took their hangovers out on hockey balls. After that, the match was easy."
