Beagles mourn passing of coaching legend Bob Mortimer

Lee Power Thursday, February 21, 2013
2:58 PM

Newham & Essex Beagles were saddened to hear of the death of former club coach Bob Mortimer this week.

A statement released on the club website said: “It is with great regret that we note the passing away of legendary Beagles coach Bob Mortimer.

“Bob is best known for coaching Olympic decathlon champion Daley Thompson from an early age.But his influence at the club was huge and he was responsible for leading the men’s team from Southern League Division Two to the First Division of the British League as team manager.

“Beagles legends from Bob’s time in charge include Colin Rietz, Graham Fell, Richard Slaney, Dave Baptiste and Terry Collins.

“Bob was one of the stalwarts of the Beagles coaching set-up with George Curtis and Dave Green through the 1980s and 1990s and helped athletes of all levels all through his distinguished coaching career.

“Bob will be greatly missed by all who benefited from his kind words of advice over the years. He was a fine family man and the club sends its commiserations to his wife Brenda, son Andrew, daughter Kirsty and grandsons Harry and Ryan, who were a source of great pride to him.”

Double Olympic champion Thompson said on Twitter: “Bob Mortimer was a great coach and a great friend. The world is a sadder place without him.”

A funeral will take place at Upminster Crematorium on Monday at 2.40pm.