GEOFFREY A. GILL
Geoff was elected into membership of this Club on 02.10.1950, aged 18, as a forward - though he had never played the game before - and very soon afterwards volunteered to assist with the Cleaning and maintenance of the Club's changing accommodation and meeting room - we then operated from a small outhouse at the rear of the Didsbury Hotel - and he subsequently chaired the Committee. He was deeply involved with the several developments of the Club's facilities, and nothing was ever too much trouble or too menial a task for him to volunteer his services.

He held the following Offices at the Club;
Assistant Secretary 1963-64
Ex "A" XV Captain 1966-70, with the best record for 1969-70 which stood until being narrowly beaten in 2001-2.

Seven-a-side Secretary 1967-1982, which involved not only organising the Competition but also helping with the running of the Toc H Childrens’ Holiday Camp in Rhyl.

Treasurer 1978-82
President 1979-81
Life Vice President 1981. Geoff was the first LVP, and it was 10 years before the second LVP was appointed!

When Geoff decided his playing days were over, he began Refereeing the lower Club teams, and then became an "official" Ref with the Manchester and District Referees Society. As was his wont, he became an excellent Referee for many seasons and then in the appointment of Referees to games, eventually becoming President of the Society.

Even though Geoff was very busy with his duties with the (MAD Ref's!) Society he none-the-less kept himself fully in touch with the Club attending Executive Meeting and, whenever his duties with the Society allowed, he loved watching Toc H teams and having a beer (or two) in the Clubhouse. Also, with the formation of the Didsbury Toc H Ladies' Rugby Section, Geoff contributed greatly by guiding them at training sessions on the Laws of the Game and in refereeing games up to his 84th year!
“They don’t make ‘em like that anymore!"

The photo above is from last March, the last event in the club pre covid, a lunch to celebrate Geoff and his contribution to rugby in North West.

The family have set up an online condolence book, so you can share your memories of the great man. Whether it be being sent off the pitch or just a friendly chat on the sidelines. https://www.remembr.com/geoff.gill

We will also share the funeral arrangements once they have been made.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Gilly and his family during these sad times.