The Society is saddened to pass on the news of the death of our former President (1989-92), Mike Foxwell, in late December.
Mike was an accountant. He joined the Society in 1960 as a member of Old Gaytonians RFC (which eventually became part of West London RFC, where he was the current President at the time of his passing). He became Treasurer of the Society in 1977 and held that position for 10 years until he became Executive Vice President prior to becoming President in 1989, being President in the Society’s centenary year. After his term of office as President, he very kindly resumed the office of Treasurer for a further 3 years. Mike’s work as Treasurer is widely credited as helping ensure the prudent footing that the Society's finances continue to be on today. Tony Trigg, our President from 1995-98, kindly shared his memories of Mike and a bit of additional colour to his involvement with watching referees, the Harrow Society and the London Society:
“ I first met Mike in 1967 at Osterley when I was in my first year of training with that club. He was watching the first team game's referee with John Carroll and Bill Barnes. Afterwards they sought me out in the clubhouse and invited me to join the Harrow Society of RFU referees.
The Harrow Society was run by Mike and John Carroll and it provided referees to the lower level sides in local clubs a number of which ran 4 or more sides. The LSRFUR would not provide referees below the first 2 teams. The Harrow Society had around 20 referees and it met monthly at different clubs in the area. The monthly meetings were addressed by the top referees of the day attracted by the offer of being invited to the Old Gaytonian Sevens at the end of the season. Those invited included Johnny Johnson, Norman Sanson, David Ford, David Spyer and Derek Head. The referees were treated lavishly by Mike and John.
After a few months with Harrow, watched regularly by Mike, Mike encouraged me to join the London Society. I did but I always attended the Harrow meetings. I eventually took over from Mike as Treasurer of the London Society and he was kind enough to audit our accounts for many years.”
In addition, Mike was a Life VP of Middlesex. He was heavily involved in the finances of the Middlesex Charity Sevens for many years, as well as with the County’s accounts.
His funeral shall take place at Breakspear Crematorium (HA4 7SJ) on Tuesday 10th January at 13:15, followed by a reception at the Masonic Centre in Northwick Circle, Kenton HA3 0EL. Mike’s family has requested rugby colleagues to wear their Society/Club ties at the funeral.
The Society sends its condolences to his wife, Judith, and his broader family and friends at this sad time.