Seamus Burke RIP

(In the school under 12 cricket photo taken in 'The Paddock' in 1966 are: Back Row: Paul West, Hugh Hickland, Charlie Rettner, Gerry Taggert, Seamus Burke: Front Row: John Findlay, Niall Coldrick, Alan Sheridan, George Lipinski, John Hickey, Martin Hogan, Pete McKeon) This was one of Seamus's favourite photos.

Seamus was four years older that me, so whilst at Clapham College, our paths rarely crossed although I clearly remember him whilst he was in the sixth form. I also recall his close group of friends from his year: John Hickey, Chris Kavanagh and Ray Gately - friendships that endured all his life. His contempories were Harry Hickland, Paul West, Gerry Taggart, Matthew Murtagh, Tom O’Dee and Jim Cronin.

When I joined the Old Boys in 1976, Seamus was current the 1st XI goalkeeper (under the captaincy of Mick McGrath) and I got to know Seamus over the many of football training sessions on Tuesday evenings at the newly built College. He was one a rare breed of Clapham goalies that actually went of the training run. (The charge that started at the College, along Nightingale Lane, Wandsworth Common, Broomwood Road and back to the College). He always wore a yellow collared jersey both for training and matches. I’m sure that was the only jersey he ever possessed and it lasted his entire playing career. Seamus was a fearless goalkeeper; never afraid of being injured (although he frequently was). He was always dependable although his time keeping left much to be desired. For team departures at Balham Station invariably Seamus was always arrive half an hour late despite living closest to the station. His rationale was that it saved him time hanging around for the last person to turn up!

Seamus was the winning side that won the LOB Novets Cup in 1983 against Old Aloysians captained by Eamonn Kearns.

Seamus was also an excellent cricketer. He regularly played both on Saturday and Sunday. His goalkeeping agility enabled him to become a specialist gully fielder. I can still recall those spectacular one handed catches, which often took my breath away. He would consider these catches to be just routine. He later became cricket 2nd XI captain which, under his leadership, was the most enjoyable social cricket I ever played. (The team included Lev Myatt, Mick Butler, Ted Hayter, John McGuire, Gary Knight, Graham Hudson, Trevor Jones and Eric Skiggs)

Off the field Seamus made a major contribution to the running of the Association and the sports sections. In the late 1970s and 80s on Monday evenings, under the direction of Derek Rowe, team-sheets were produced. Due to Seamus’ late arrival he was charged with operating the ‘Banda machine’ (spirit duplicator) one of the last processes of the evening before enveloping. He was also cricket secretary for several years. He served on the Association’s committee for 35 years. His attendance only to be interrupted by Tottenham’s home fixtures (he became a season ticket holder after he had finished playing football) His most important contribution was Association Treasurer a post he held for 13 years.

Seamus will be sorely missed. He had a remarkable memory, eye for detail and was an eternal optimist. He contributed so much to the sound financial position of the Association and was a part of its very fabric. He was an expert on military history and, on the centenary of the First World War, the erection of the new plaque in the College Chapel, which would have given him great satisfaction, it’s a real pity he never lived to see it.

Seamus never forgot who he was or where he was from. He was loyal to the Association and its members. We loved him and we will miss him. Please keep him in your prayers.

May He Rest in Peace; Eddie O’Brien
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The huge number of well over fifty Xaverians who attended the Mass and Funeral Service included Seamus’s brother Brian Burke, Ray Gately came over from Galway to pay his respects, also Dave and John Leathem, [and Lynne] - The Milligan brothers [Paul and Lawrence], Mick Power [and Dot], Mick Powell, Ted Hayter, Brian Sanders, Scotty Macdonald, Frank Barretta, Eddie O’Brien, Colin Garvey, Bob Morris, Vic Roszkowski, Harry Hickland,, Chris Kavanagh, Mick Duffy, Chris Smith, The Benedicts, Ben, Matt and Joesph, Brendan Kearns, Brendan Williams, Alec Morrish, John Hickey, Tony O'Shea, Frank Ryan, John Ryan, Jimmy Burke, John & Spencer McGuire, Mick Carrucan, Gerry Taggart, Mick & Tom McLoughlin, Paul West, Trevor Jones [and his wife], Jim Thornton, Harry Mellor, Mark Preece, Connor Rooney, John Mansi, Pat Burke, Mick O’Sullivan, Paul Morgan and Matthew Murtagh:- I think that is everyone who were there, a great effort, [and apologies if I omitted anybody]. SEAMUS BURKE… May he Rest in Peace……………….. Scotty