Steve Olding passed away yesterday; a desperately sad loss to his lovely family and all of us who knew him and played with him. There’s a (quite large) empty space in the bar.

He was a prop and only a prop, bigger and much stronger than he first appeared; a quiet man with an inner steel. Like all props he learnt the ropes as he fronted up - don’t back down but be flexible and understand that those behind you rely on you. He had a quiet, dry wit which could sum up his approval or disapproval in one short phrase.

In the seventies and eighties Charlton Park’s reputation attracted players who, like Steve, were naturally strong, fast or both; many of whom came from physical lifestyles, but who had not much knowledge of the game.

Many, like him, turned into proper rugby players and 90% of this was due to the character of the club – a mixture of togetherness and chaos that Steve loved and thrived in which expressed itself particularly on tours, which Steve loved. He had his best days when the club was at its best – as a big part of winning London One and getting to the National Leagues.

He was always there, he avoided the spotlight but his opinion was always sought; he had quite definite opinions on the backs just as much or even more than the forwards. He wore his heart on his sleeve and was often in despair at the tactics or carelessness of players who didn’t understand their duty to the team.

Steve was a skilled bricklayer, he was part of the Parris/Pare/Pritchard Bexley gang, a regular at The George where he was part of the darts team which won by intimidation. He was strong, but he was quiet, in CP terms anyway, he didn’t push himself. For a period of time he taught the skills of bricklaying to college students.

Steve had to put up with difficult issues, in particular with regard to his health, but the many photographs there are of Steve do not reflect this - he was full of laughter. He found life fun, he always seemed contented, and he was proud of his family, and I think they of him!

We as a club are thinking of Steve, and particularly now of his wife Julie, son Daniel and daughters Rebecca and Sophie.

Rest in Peace