Ralph Morris - Rest in Peace

We are very sad to report that Ralph Morris, the 1950s full back for Dulwich Hamlet departed this life on Monday evening. Only yesterday we published a piece on the Hamlet Historian blog how Ralph was soon to be honoured by leading the Hamlet team out in a forthcoming match. At 91 he would have been the oldest mascot to ever do so.

Regrettably, Ralph had a fall a few days ago which resulted in a very painful broken hip. An operation followed but being extremely frail he did not recover. Ralph passed away on Monday evening.

Ralph was really looking forward to his day out at Champion Hill as the matchday mascot, returning to the club for which he made over one hundred appearances. It is such a pity he passed away before his wish could be fulfilled. This was something which filled much of his thoughts in his last few weeks.

Clare Keeble who was instrumental in organising what was to be Ralph’s special day assures us that the Morris family are still eager to attend the match, at which Ralph’s life will be commemorated in some way. A minute’s silence will be held before kick-off. Our deepest condolences to the Morris family and friends.

Jack McInroy

Ralph Morris - Senior Mascot

Ralph Morris - Senior Mascot

Several generations have passed since Ralph Morris played his final game for Dulwich Hamlet. Now in his ninety second year, the former footballer resides in a care home in Haslemere, Surrey.  But unlike many nonagenarians he is not content to see out his long life sitting in an armchair in comfortable surroundings. Ralph is still looking to fulfil his ambitions!

Staff at the Brownscombe House Nursing Home contacted Dulwich Hamlet who kindly arranged for Ralph to be the matchday mascot at a forthcoming game. It has now been confirmed that the match against Havant & Waterlooville on 19 October will see Ralph Morris make his return …66 years after his final appearance in pink and blue.

Ralph last stepped onto the Champion Hill turf as a player in October 1953 having played more than a century of games for the Hamlet in the previous four years. A serious knee injury cut his career desperately short at the age of 25, when he was on the brink of an international call up for England Amateurs. Sadly Ralph was never to play again.

In August this year the former right back expressed his longing desire, despite being wheelchair bound, to return to Dulwich and once again tread the hallowed Champion Hill turf. “The one thing still on my bucket list is to return to Dulwich Hamlet. I have so many fond memories of my time playing there and just wish it could have continued for longer. To go back, meet the current team and watch a game with my family would be such a special experience for me.”

Ralph, who juggled his amateur football career with his job as a travel agency rep. played alongside the Reverend Ron Cowley, the Hamlet defender and Baptist minister. Indeed it was the Rev. Cowley who married Ralph and his bride Evelyn Augotoski one Saturday morning in March 1953. While the happy couple went off on their honeymoon the minister made his way back from Beckenham, where the wedding took place, to appear for Dulwich Hamlet in the afternoon.

Ralph will be presented with a Dulwich Hamlet No.2 shirt and lead out the team, undoubtedly the most senior person to ever do so. When he enters the pitch he may recall the two goals he scored for the club, one of which was from the halfway line. We trust Ralph will receive a similar ovation as he did when he scored his most famous goal.

Jack McInroy