Dear Coaches, Athletes, Volunteers and Friends
 
Tuesday 14th February 2012, will mark the 10th anniversary of Dave's sad passing and I would like to pay tribute to him by asking all Club members, coaches, volunteers and friends to join together for a minutes silence in honour of him at the Club House at 6.45pm that day.
 
Dave Scanlon joined North Shields Polytechnic Club on 4th December 1951, and was made a life member on 17th October 1977, along with H. F. Thompson, Col. George Brown, and J. Telford. But, it was long after that that I met him. Dave, was the friendliest bloke that I ever met. He never coached me yet his general warmth and love of the sport nurtured me from the moment I joined in 1978 through my early 20's. 
 
On walking through the doors of the 'new' Poly hut in June 2001, he was the first one to meet my eye and in typically Dave fashion he turned to Norman Davis and said "Hey Norman, some fat bloke's got lost". His smile as broad as the North York Moors.
 
I remember the night he died. I was training on the track and unknown to me he was stood at the door watching. When I came past he shouted "Here Norman, Tommy Brannon's doing 400's with Tony Mellor". Norman came to the door and said "Where?". "There" and as he was pointing to my location he fell to his right. As I came up the home straight I saw someone on his knees next to a figure lying next to the outside doors. As I neared I realised it was Dave lying there. Whoever, it was that was doing CPR did his best but the damage of the fall was too much and Dave died a short time later at Rake Lane Hospital.
 
He was due to retire that year and spend more time at home with his loving wife Margaret. Everyone who ever met him will remember him for what he was.

I hope you will all join me for a moment of quiet reflection in an otherwise hectic lifestyle.

Tommy Brannon