Vale Pat O'Connor

Road & Country Squad Lose Epic Engine-Roomer

 We are sad to report the passing of Pat O'Connor today, who brilliantly served the road and country squad, barely missing a race of note between 1971-1983.His stats are impressive and he's the 3rd most prolific Surrey League scorer in our history, and 3rd too at the National, only behind legends Gerry North and Bert Footer.Whilst not a superstar like the two above, he personified what club athletics is all about, bravely getting stuck in, keeping us respectable, and taking one for the team year after year.  To be sure our results in the 1970s would have taken on a far more alarming slide without Pat's doughty spirit.  His placings amongst the Bels at the National in 12 consecutive years were:  7th, 2nd, 7th, 4th, 2nd, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 5th.  Quite breath-taking consistency.A neighbour of Pat's, John Fitzgerald writes to us, "A general consensus of opinion about Pat was that he was hugely honest in everything he did, a gentle soul and a true gentleman."His funeral will be in Ireland on Friday and Leo Coy will attend.This photo of Pat hangs in Belgrave Hall, just to the right as you enter.