Local soccer and cricket said its farewells to Dave ‘Chic’ Chandler with former winter and summer team-mates packing the Test Valley Crematorium for his funeral in midweek.
Mr Chandler, who owned his own plastering business, was a huge local sporting figure and immensely likeable character who featured prominently on the local sports scene in the Sixties and 1970s, and died in January after a long illness, aged 81.
In his pomp as a footballer, he played Hampshire League soccer for Totton and Cowes Sports before moving to Brockenhurst where he became manager. and secretary.
He was a prominent Sunday footballer too, being a leading light for Totton Wanderers, who carried off numerous City of Southampton Sunday League titles. Conveniently, he lived next door to the Testwood public house, whose genial landlord Gerry Laing ran the Wanderers team, whom he captained.
He was no mean cricketer either, keeping wicket for Calmore Sports in the Hampshire League for over 15 years, standing up to virtually all the bowlers. Upon retiring, he took up umpiring and was a regular in the white coat for many summers.
Never happier than after a game with a glass in hand at the bar and exchanging banter with team-mates and members of the opposition, he was involved with Calmore Sports for over 30 years and was a long standing vice-president of the Loperwood Park club.
Mr Chandler, who owned his own plastering business, was a huge local sporting figure and immensely likeable character who featured prominently on the local sports scene in the Sixties and 1970s, and died in January after a long illness, aged 81.
In his pomp as a footballer, he played Hampshire League soccer for Totton and Cowes Sports before moving to Brockenhurst where he became manager. and secretary.
He was a prominent Sunday footballer too, being a leading light for Totton Wanderers, who carried off numerous City of Southampton Sunday League titles. Conveniently, he lived next door to the Testwood public house, whose genial landlord Gerry Laing ran the Wanderers team, whom he captained.
He was no mean cricketer either, keeping wicket for Calmore Sports in the Hampshire League for over 15 years, standing up to virtually all the bowlers. Upon retiring, he took up umpiring and was a regular in the white coat for many summers.
Never happier than after a game with a glass in hand at the bar and exchanging banter with team-mates and members of the opposition, he was involved with Calmore Sports for over 30 years and was a long standing vice-president of the Loperwood Park club.
