All-round sportsman Dave Wilkinson was an absolute gentleman

David Wilkinson, a gifted all-round sportsman, excelling in tennis, football and race walking has died at the age of 84.

Educated at Victoria Road primary and Castle Rushen High School, he was in the winning side twice in School Shield football finals in 1956 and 1957.

His first match for Castletown Metropolitan Football Club was in the 1957 Cowell Cup (under 18s). He went on to represent the club for more than 20 years and was part of the successful 1969 Hospital Cup-winning side.

Light on his feet and very nimble, he played mainly as an inside forward. He represented the Isle of Man senior XI against Czech side Spartak Prague at the Bowl in 1964.

Robbie Lambie wrote an excellent tribute to Dave on Facebook last week. His description of Dave was absolutely perfect: ‘A modest man, who was extremely self-effacing.’

He continued: ‘In his playing career of about 500 matches he was never booked or sent off. He was a perfect gentleman on the pitch who would apologise for fouling someone and be almost embarrassed when scoring.’

Indeed, his flawless conduct on the football pitch was unique. I remember him rounding the keeper to score a goal in a match against Peel and, after briefly raising his arm to acknowledge the goal, he stopped and shook hands with the goalie whilst apologising to him.

After his playing days Dave was a regular supporter and spectator, taking part in working parties at the stadium.

In a tribute to him online, the club wrote: ‘It is sad to announce the passing of life member, local sporting great and true gentleman, David ‘Wicky’ Wilkinson.

‘David had been involved in the club since the inception of the stadium itself, his name appears in the squares of subscribers on the original stadium list.

‘He was well known not only within the club but throughout the town.’

In tennis, Dave won three men’s doubles title in Isle of Man championships in 1967, 1968 and 1978 with his great friend (and fellow Castletown footballer) Ron Ronan.

The pair won the Ramsey Town Cup doubles twice (1970 and 1976), the men’s doubles in the Peel Town Cup on three occasions (1967, 1968, 1976).

Dave was runner-up in the singles final in 1976.

He was a committee member, secretary and treasurer at Castletown Tennis Club from 1972 to 2012, and was made a life member of the club, then co-president with Ron Ronan in 2015.

Dave first took part competitively in race walking in the 1971 TT Course relay as part of the Castle Rushen Old Scholars team with John Corrin, Derek Harrison and Ron Ronan. Occasionally Bobba Cowley and Robbie Callister were also in that team over the coming years.

A regular participant in 10km Winter Leagues and Peel to Douglas races, he completed the End to End Walk on seven occasions (1986 to 1998) on the old course and had four finishes in the Parish Walk (1985, 1986, 1987, 1989), finishing joint fourth in 1986 with John Wright.

Dave became a Centurion when he finished a 100-mile race in Leicester in 22hr 14min 07sec. He still holds the Veteran Men’s 70 age group record for 10km with a time of 68 minutes.

After retiring, he was regularly on marshalling duties at many walking and running events.

Aged 84. his funeral service will take place at Castletown Methodist Church, 11am next Monday, November 1.