It is with deep regret that I report that our former club secretary Walter Bridson died on Saturday 8th December 2018, aged 71.
Funeral Details
Requiem Mass will be held at St Benet’s RC Church, Copy Lane, Bootle, L30 7PE on Thursday 20 December at 12 noon followed by interment at Thornton Cemetery. Family flowers only but donations would be appreciated to Woodlands Hospice c/o Peter Coyne Funeral Services, 634 Longmoor Lane L10 9LA(0151 521 7999).
Wally Bridson: An appreciation
It has fallen to my lot to write many appreciations but this is by far the hardest. There are human gaps that are, or never will be, truly filled. Wally is among the few individuals that have had that effect.
As the club historian, of the Pembroke inheritance at least, I frequently reflect on the qualities that have enabled clubs such as ours to last well
beyond a century and it is not difficult to identify a stream of administrators, in an almost unbroken link, that have taken the club from modest beginnings to the vibrant modern era. Wally clearly belongs to that distinguished group of baton-carriers.
Those that have had a stab at Club Secretary will understand how increasingly complex and demanding the task can be. From day one of his tenure Wally brought not only his considerable previous expertise as a former deputy head teacher to the task but almost daily added something else, mastering technology and adding officiating skills to his already impressive repertoire. Latterly he had also taken on the role of writing press/website reports a task he enjoyed the most. He was an outstanding administrator.
But there was a lot more to this incredible man. Again, no doubt garnered from his teaching background he knew everybody`s name down to the youngest and newest recruit. He would spend large parts of his trackside time offering a word of gentle praise or encouragement of equal measure to the most modest of performers and as to those who gain the highest of honours. He dealt particularly well with individual problems that inevitably came his way resolving them calmly and with dignity. He was, in short, the complete administrator and empathetic human being.
His contribution to local schools athletics was immense. He was utterly reliable in all roles and local teachers will have a hard job filling his shoes. Increasingly he was also highly regarded at Merseyside county level and there will be many there mourning his departure. In terms of service to the sport he was barely half way to a highly distinguished and memorable career.
It is hard to do justice to this unforgettable man with so many attributes. I will personally miss the innumerable conversations at the track and travelling to and from competitions. We shared the same ambitions for the club and rejoiced at the many advances over the years. No greater compliment can be made than for the rest of us to continue that journey.
Throughout his illness Wally had terrific support from his family, wife Margaret, children Andrew and Sarah and grandchildren.
Charles Gains
Mike Rimmer presents LPS Secretary Wally Bridson with the Club Mark Award
RIP Walter thoughts are with the family at this very sad time . Dave Wilson .
RIP Wally such a lovely man my thoughts are with your family at this sad time.
Very sad to hear this news, such a dedicated champion of the club.
I will always remember him rolling his eyes at my late arrival to EVERY race, shaking his head and his kind smile and supportive words before and after every race.
Sorely missed. Love to the family xx
Wally has been the club’s rock since I started 13 years ago. He tirelessly gave everything to LPS and Athletics. A true hero, gentleman and one of the nicest people I had the honour of knowing. My thoughts are with his family at this devastating time.
Really sad to hear this news. A true gentleman. Send g love to his family at this sad time.
Wally had been the heart and soul of our club for many years. I hope time will dull the pain his family must be feeling and leave them with many happy memories. A man who gave so much of himself to many, many others.
Wally and I had the odd clash over the years but I never doubted the sincerity of his commitment to athletics or LPS. He was honest, a gentleman (in the old fashioned sense of the word) and even tempered. I was sad to hear he was ill and shocked to discover he has died. Condolences to all who knew him far better than I and to LPS for their loss.
It’s been my privilege to have met and worked alongside a number of outstanding club administrators during my many years in this club and Wally ranks right up there with the best of them. Wally did an outstanding job as club secretary during his 12 years in office, his attention to detail was second to none and this is one of the reasons the club is in such a successful position as we are today through Wally’s hard work.
Wally was a kind and considerate person who valued contribution, he put a lot more into our sport than he ever took out.
My thoughts are with Margaret and his family at this difficult time.
God bless Wally and his family. My love particularly to Margaret.
So missed you’ll be but so less forgotten
Farewell Wally and RIP.
Wally has left a void in the club and i cannot see that being surpassed.
His hard work,enthusiasm and dedication was unfounded and he thought nothing
about cycling and commuting to a venue or training.
He gave an enormous amount to the club and never expected anything in return
in short he was a gem and very much appreciated.
My thoughts are with Margaret and family,time will heal.
God Bless
John McCarten
Difficult to express the level of admiration I felt for the steadfast talent and commitment that Wally brought to his role as club secretary, and I am sure to all other parts of his life.
His quiet but effective support when we were setting up the parkrun at Edge Hill, especially in terms of introducing and recommending us to the Edge Hill authorities, at a time when parkrun wasn’t that well known in these parts and the kind of club/casual runner relationship that’s now common was actually quite unusual, was hugely appreciated by all those involved, and all this was but one demonstration of his warmth and sincerity.
My sincerest condolences to Margaret and family.
From the first time we met Wally at a schools cross-country race it was evident Wally was a true gentleman and we are so grateful for his calm, gentle but supportive approach to athletics and cross-country. It will be sad not seeing him at the finish line taking numbers, or at the starting line ready to start a race, or just there to answer the many questions runners and their parents have. Our condolences and thoughts are with Margaret and family at this awful time.
Very sorry to hear the sad news about Wally. Myself and the Edge Hill Sport team send our condolences to the family and the Liverpool Pembroke club
A most charitable and selfless man who could never do enough for others. May he rest in peace.
This news is so hard to comprehend, a true gentleman and the back bone of the club, will miss people coming to the desk asking ‘Where’s Wally?’ Thank you for very thing you have done for us. God Bless you Wally and thoughts to Margaret and all his family xxx
Since being a junior at the club in 1997, Wally has always offered kind advise, warmth and encouragement. I can only admire the time and effort he gave to the club and its members, their families and wider community including local primary and secondary schools. All he ever wanted was for youngsters to grow into adults who loved athletics. He demonstrated to me how to be professional, selfless and humble. 20 years on, I salute you Wally RIP. Thankyou
A superbly efficient and friendly club secretary. In my short time at LPS Wally was always helpful and knowledgeable. It was a pleasure to know him. Condolences to his family and friends.
Very sad news, Wally was the center pillar of the LPS community, giving his time to all athletes, parents, coaches and races.
Since being a member of LPS wally has always been there for advice and guidence, along with wise words stories and a love for athletics. I will never forget him entering me into an array of track races (400m, 800m, 1500m 3000m including the 4x100m and 4x400m) and the odd suggestion of the hurdles along the way… as a distance runner you can imagine my face, when told, ‘Wally said you would run in the 400B or a leg of the 4x100m’ .. yes I did just laugh it off, get up and race, I always new he was trying to push me into the track route – not the triathlon rubbish I call a sport.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family. RIP Wally.
A wonderful sporting gentleman to have known. Wally leaves us with a marvellous legacy of kindness, patience and encouragement. Thanks Wally. Condolences to family.
Rest in Peace Wally
It was a pleasure to meet you when you asked me to come down to the club after a Merseyside schools cross country race.
My thoughts are with all wallys family at this very sad time.
Daniel Wright
What very sad news. Wally was such s kind and helpful man and always a pleasure to chat to. He will be sorely missed by everyone at LPS. My thoughts are with his loved ones at this difficult time.
Wally was the consummate professional. A club stalwart and true gentleman. He will be sorely missed.
Wally was a fantastic Club Secretary who gave selflessly and tirelessly to LPS. He was liked and respected by all who dealt with him and his loss creates a void that the club will find very hard to fill. Most of all I would like to convey my sincere condolences to Wally’s wife and family. I do hope that they can take from these messages just how highly regarded the man was. He will be missed and fondly remembered by many.
Wally was a true gentleman who provided us with much support, kindness and encouragement over the years. His dedication in attending events around the country, and the help he provided at them, was very much appreciated. He will be very fondly remembered and very sadly missed. Our deepest sympathy to his family.
R.I.P Wally. Deepest commiserations to his family and L.P.S.AC. He will be sadly missed.
A sad loss – all of us at Lancashire AA and Northern Athletics respected Wally for all his hard work for the sport and our thoughts are with his family
Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to Wallys family and friends.
He was a good friend to many of the members, not only at your club, but also at ours too.
On many occasions he came along and helped us out at our own events when we were short and without giving it a moments thought. He was very dedicated to the sport we all love and his commitment was appreciated by so many at club and county level.
A great man that will be missed by many as the comments above mine have already shown.
Gone but not forgotten.
From all at our club.
Christopher Henders
Hon. General Secretary
Southport Waterloo A.C.
So sorry to hear this. Wally was a great man. RIP. And thoughts to his family xxx
What a great man, my thoughts are with his family and friends. Xx
Karen Williamsonery sad to hear. Our thoughts are with family and friends, and all at LPS
Very sorry to be reading this , all our thoughts with his family xx
This is so sad. Wally was a huge part of the club, I remember meeting him on my first day with the club. Very supportive and did so much. Thoughts are with the family. RIP Wally.
Vary sad to hear this news, thinking of his family, rest in peace
Sorry to hear about Wally – one of many fine people at LPS who make the sport so enjoyable
So sorry to hear the sad news about Wally. His hard work and dedication to LPS and the athletics community in general will not be surpassed. Deepest sympathy to Margaret and the family.
So sorry to hear this sad news. A true gentleman & pillar of support to the club who will be sorely missed.
Deepest sympathy to Margaret and the family.
It’s nice to see how important Wally was for LPS.
All these comments are much appreciated.
LOVE, Alberto.
Apart from his unique efficiency as club secretary Wally Bridson was one of the kindest, most warm hearted persons I have ever come across. Nothing was too much trouble for him and I will miss him enormously. Deepest sympathies to Margaret and his family.
Very sad to see the news about Wally a massive part of the club , our thoughts are with his family.
I have only just heard about Wally. I am very sad to hear this news. Wally was a selfless , true gentleman. I have known Wally since I was a child. He was always present throughout my athletic years.
As an adult I had the pleasure of working alongside him at school level aswel as county level.
He has inspired so many children over the years and was LPS. I know that they will miss him greatly as will all those, including myself, who had the pleasure of knowing him.
May he now rest in peace.
Heartbreaking to hear about Wally! A great person to me when I was at LPS for my uni days (and a few more after).
Thoughts are with you all at LPS and more importantly his family
I was only thinking of “Wally” the other day – wondering how he was. I’ve not seen him since I left teaching in 2006, and spoke to Wally himself perhaps a year earlier?
Rest in peace dear Wally, he worked tirelessly at ABHS in Cedar Rd.