John Crichard 1933 -2026, BGS 1944 -53

Words written by Richard Leonard

John passed away peacefully at home on January 1st after a short spell in hospital.

I do not have any details of John’s time at BGS but I suspect he was into all the sporting activity possible and particularly strong in the Hockey team.

John was an active Old Bristolian and ran the monthly Friday lunch club from 1993 until 2020.

John came to Old Bristolians Hockey Club, after National Service, in 1952.

He was Secretary for at least five years and used to write a personal note to all school leavers who played hockey, seeking their membership of the club. He played first team hockey for more than 30 years and regularly scored 30 goals a season. He played for a while for the seconds and then took up umpiring the lower teams. Outside of the Club he played for the top invitation and social clubs such as Occidentals, Puritans, Devon Dumplings and Centaurs.

In the days of grass hockey it was essential to ‘tackle back ‘and harass the opposition. Not a problem for John who was very fit and quick. John would always encourage his team mates into more effort and his voice would echo across the pitch shouting ‘worry worry worry’. John also played Tennis and squash at Redland followed by more leisurely bowls. The thought of him strolling up and down the bowls rink doesn’t fit the hockey dynamo I remember.

When John came to Failand the Memorial Ground had only just started. John threw himself into the organisation of the Sports Club and he acted as the maintenance manager of the clubhouse for over 40 years.

The activities of John, and a few stalwarts every Thursday, kept Failand running and fit as a Memorial.

A very select number of Old Bristolians can be looked upon as founders of the Old Bristolians Sports Club. Sadly, this number is getting ever smaller, but John was a quiet leader and influential on the legacy of Failand and the Sports Club.