RIP Derrick Corry - a CSFC legend
09 Feb 2012

It is with deep regret that the Club has to announce the death of Derrick Corry. He sadly passed away earlier today (Thursday 9th February 2012). Derrick was a huge part of the club and has been a regular down at Chiswick for an incredible 60 years – continuing to support us long after hanging his boots up.

Derrick played at 1st Team level in the 1950s and 60s and ending his playing days with the 8th team in the 70s. His commitment and contribution to the club is perhaps best demonstrated by his service on the club’s committee from 1956 to 1994 when he held the positions of Club Captain1956-58, Match Secretary 1958-1960, Honorary Secretary 1967-82 and finally Club President from 1982 to 1994. In 2003 Derrick’s lifetime commitment was recognised when he received an FA award marking 50 years service. Derrick has continued to come down to the club since stepping down as President and has been a regular tourist travelling on tours right up to 2008

Whilst those of you who knew him will be terribly sad to hear of Derrick’s passing perhaps you can take some comfort from the fact that Derrick spent one of his last days watching the 1st team win in the AFA Senior Cup quarter finals on a proper winter’s day down at Chiswick – he left the club for the last time with a winning feeling.

When we know more about the arrangements for the funeral we'll share that information. For those of you representing the club on Saturday (or the following week if games are called off) you are asked to remember Derrick with a moment's silence before the game. For those of you who have hung your boots up we ask that you raise your glass to Derrick Corry a true CSFC legend.

For an insight into what Derrick represented and his commitment to the club read James Edge's tribute here http://feelingedgy.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/thank-you-derek-corry/ 

Derrick's nephew provided an insight into his life:

"It makes me very proud to read all the tributes to Derek. I will attempt to give you some of his family history. He was my fathers younger brother and was born on 28 January 1931 and raised with his 2 brother and 2 sisters at Market Square, Ramelton, Co Donegal, Ireland. You may be interested to know that the house and business premises at Market Square was actually the birth place of Dave Gallagher who was the legendary Captain of the first All Blacks Rugby team to tour these Islands in the early 1900's. Derek's parents ran a grocer and hardware shop in Ramelton and he would have helped with deliveries and serving behind the counter in his early years. He went to school in Ramelton played football for the local Swilly Rovers team before he went off to join the Civil Service in London after the war.
He came home to Ramelton every Christmas and Summer on holidays to visit his parents and I remember journeys to Belfast as a child to collect him from the Airport.
I was very interested to see all the pictures of him posted on the Civil Service FC website.
My Dad, who also played , described him as a handy footballer with a good brain and not scared to stick his foot in when needed. Obviously one day he stuck his foot in too far because he landed home from London in the late 50,s to recuperate after suffering a broken leg.
I remember with a bit of apprehension being asked to write my name on his plaster. I was only a youngster and had not seen anyone with a broken leg before.
Unfortunately his visits home became less frequent after his parents (my grandparents) died in 1971 but he always attended weddings and funerals and family occasions. He was predeceased by his four brothers and sisters. His last visit home was to my mothers funeral in August 2009.
Derek was very quiet individual, always polite and quite content to keep in the background but obviously a skilled administrator having been president of the Civil Service Club for so long. We are all sad at his passing and are grateful to all his friends who looked after him so well in his twilight years."

Some photos spanning Derrick's 60 years with us are here http://www.civilservicefc.com/club/PhotoGallery?album_id=103720