RIP Richard “Dicky” Smith

Richard “Dicky” Smith 1939-2024

It is with great sadness we have to inform you of the passing of Richard “Dicky” Smith. Dicky had a long association with the club which he joined in the late 1950’s after leaving Calday School. Dicky Played as a wing forward for the club and made a number of appearances for the 1^st XV in the 1960’s. He was captain of the 2^nd XV for 2 seasons 1960-62.

After retiring from playing Dicky took up Refereeing and With Bill Murray encouraged other members to become referees as well. Together they created the Caldy Referees society and provided referees to other local club’s lower teams. A number of these referees went on to become members of the Merseyside Referees Society.

Dicky Retires early from Barclay’s bank and became one of the early members of the Last of the summer wine (Not yet named) with Arthur Parkinson and Steve Hill. They looked after the grounds (All 16 acres) cutting the grass and marking the pitches, which when the Mini and junior sections started up added a further 14 pitches to the job. Dicky took over the role of Grounds Chairman for Caldy Sports Club and was instrumental in re-negotiating the latest Lease with the National Trust. As more and more funds were required to pay for the maintenance of the grounds he started “Dicky’s” Dinners with the Wylie’s to help raise funds to pay for Line Paint, Seed and equipment to keep the club going.

Dicky was also heavily involved with running the annual Merseyside Sevens competition held at the end of the season. The Sevens started in 1944 was the oldest English club Sevens which hosted 32 clubs and a school competition. He organised the competition, operated the control point, and was the main Announcer.

As his health deteriorated, he handed over the management of the Last of the Summer wine to Phil Wylie but continued to come to the club on Tuesdays and Thursdays helping where he could. He was probably the first up and the last in, even working in the rain, despite being in Pain.

He was honoured by Cheshire County as a Valued volunteer for his work with Caldy. He never gave less than 110% to the club in whatever he did, he was always there to pass on his knowledge to other members.

He will be missed by many and will be impossible to replace—our condolences to his wife Joan, his sons and Grandchildren. We will advise the members of the funeral arrangements when we have them.