In Memory of Micky Deverson

Micky Deverson passed away recent.

He was part of the best and well balanced back row both in attack and defence that the Ironsides ever had, comprising of Dave Williams (openside). Geoff Ashby (no.8) and Micky (blindside). Micky lived up to his name “Devo” as he was a devastating tackler.

As one club fly half said ‘he never worried about what the opposition were going to do as we always got it back before the could do anything to trouble us’.

Micky joined the club from Streatham & Croydon circa 1960. At that time Streatham & Croydon were one of the strongest sides in Surrey. They regularly played fixtures against first class teams of the day like Blackheath, Rosslyn Park and Richmond.

Micky was known as a bit of a hothead at that time. He was one of the club’s most legally (most of the time) destructive tacklers. As Mickey used to say ‘the ball carrier cannot go anywhere if you take their legs away’.

One story abides - Micky worked as a scaffolder and one day on the job, he had an unfortunate accident which resulted in a hospital stay whilst several bones were repaired. This left him with a limp afterwards.

He was obviously selected to play the following Saturday with the comment, ‘no excuses accepted’. He had great difficulty explaining to the nurses that were tending him that the appointment card (no email or mobiles in those days) was serious.

Rest in peace Micky, I am sure you already got the angels on a fitness regime. - Bob Ockenden