There’s an old Lancashire compliment, ‘he’s no side to ‘im’, which means the person in question is the salt of the earth, a person without pretension, honest as the day is long, someone you would want very much to be your friend. Blessed with the most engaging smile, as everyone at our club will testify, Dave Crompton had ‘no side’. Born into a race walking family – his dad, Eric was a formidable competitor in the 1970’s and beyond – Dave exuded integrity and commitment, excelling at the longer distances. The highlights of his career came quite recently as in successive years he took the individual bronze medal in the National 50 kilometres, playing a crucial part in our club’s team victories. Although he was very proud too of his performance in the 2012 Isle of Man Parish Walk. Dave symbolised the camaraderie that courses through the veins of our sport. He was the club man par excellence. He will be sorely missed.

We send our deep affection and sincerest condolences to Louise, Eric, Marion and all the family.

Greg Smith writes:

Like many of us, I’m shocked by this news. Dave really was a stalwart of the Club, someone who was always there and a very consistent and reliable walker. If I could get ahead of Dave I knew that I was getting in good shape!

Do you remember his story about the time he finished the Parish Walk? His Dad Eric and Louise went over in the car so they could support him on the course. After 60 miles or so Dave was going through a rough patch and wanted to quit. Eric disagreed, locked the car doors and wouldn’t let him in! Dave was for a number of years the most consistent distance walker in the Club.

{ Louise has got in touch to correct this story somewhat, saying ‘ Greg’s story isn’t quite right. Dave struggled along the way, and it was only with about 6 miles to go his mum was saying let him get in the car, but 1.) I wouldn’t allow it & 2.) Dave wouldn’t have quit so close to the end!}

Adrian Edwards writes;

I was only thinking a couple of days ago about and would he be fit to come to the relays next week, it would’ve been great to see him; and I know that no matter what he would’ve been smiling; then I get the e-mail telling me he’d passed away. Taken too soon and too young. My thoughts are with Louise, Eric and family.
I wasn’t as good as Dave; I get annoyed when walkers take the mickey and get away with it; Dave would just say ” you just have to think about your own walking, do your best and don’t worry about anyone else”. Dave was always an excellent walker and a lovely guy.

Trevor McDermot writes:

On behalf of the members of Yorkshire RWC it is with shock and an abiding sense of loss that we mark the tragic passing of Dave Crompton.

Quiet and unassuming, Dave represented the best in spirit and backbone of our sport to which he was a magnificent credit and enjoyed so much. His departure from our ranks will be keenly felt among his clubmates and many friends at Lancashire Walking Club to whom we offer our sincere condolences.

In the footsteps of father Eric’s career, Dave was always a solid, dependable walker round the usual calendar of club fixtures (and in getting the kettle on when hosting at Chorley). He would also be seen much further afield, always with Louise in support. One would pop into him at venues like London’s Victoria Park for a National 10M, besides all the usual circuits – Coventry, Thornton-le-Clay, Hillingdon, Dunnington, Leicester and at the Isle of Man End to End Walk which he thoroughly loved taking part in.

He will be much missed on our side of the Pennines. Dave was a popular, regular participant and winner at our Winter League events.

Our member Alistair Shand writes – “Devastated to hear this. Dave was just such a good guy and it was thanks to him that I did my first-ever (and about only) sub-60 minutes 10k. It was at Cleckheaton one Winter League. He was alongside me and it was due entirely to his encouragement that I managed to keep going and broke through the barrier. Always remembered “.

A couple of years ago, following the initial diagnosis, Dave and Louise turned up at one of our Soup & Roll races in Cumbria. Typically, he played down the severity of his illness and with a gleam in his eye planned future races while wearing a ‘bag’, expecting (understandably) some difficulty at long distances. It was just something that had to be dealt with, like one of the hills around Bradford or a rainy downpour on the Blackpool Road.

Our hearts and deepest sympathies go to Louise, Mum, Eric, and all family and friends at this sad time.

Respectfully yours,

Trevor McDermot (Secretary)

from all at Yorkshire Race Walking Club

Thanks to Linda McDermot and Greg Smith for the great photos.