Stephen (Steve) Roger 1934-2009

In memory of Steve Rogers

When I belatedly heard the news of the death of Steve Rogers it immediately evoked memories of my earliest days in Sefton Harriers in the 1950s when the name of Rogers was prominent in the Club. A product of St Edwards School, as were so many young members of Sefton at that time, Steve was at Liverpool University studying law and because of his status as a student his National Service was deferred until he graduated. When he did he went into the Army.
He was a very talented runner of what would now be regarded as the Corinthian age of athletics; naturally gifted and unfettered by rigorous and grinding training schedules. Steve ran for the sheer enjoyment of the sport and was the envy of the more prosaic members of the athletics fraternity.
During his Army and University years his loyalty to the Club remained constant and he would run for Sefton Harriers whenever possible. We Seftonians of the time were always delighted when we knew that Steve would be turning out as his presences gave the team a real boost to our moral,
He made his mark on the West Lancashire and Liverpool & District Championships over several years in more than one age group, during which time he did battle with his arch rival and Pembroke star, Ken Gates. As I recall the honours between them were more or less evenly divided, and they both represented Lancashire several times.
Steve moved to Malvern in Worcestershire some time ago where he continued to be involved in local athletics ; running for many as a veteran. I would see him occasionally when he was visiting family in Liverpool and we would meet as old friends, and it is as a friend and running comrade that I shall remember him with fondness and admiration,

Norman Wilson
November 2009



 

Sefton Harriers 3 mile track championships at Wavertree in early 1960s, (60 or 61)
Norman Wilson leads from eventual winner Steve Rogers with Brian Needham and Terry Mckay also in the shot.
Sefton Harriers secretary Andy Byrne can be seen with cap on watching the race.