DERWIN DEAN

 

Printed in the National League South game v Hampton & Richmond Borough Boxing Day 2023. We drew 3-3 in front of 1008

‘Mustn't grumble’’ Derwin messaged to a friend who asked how he was. Well apart from the fact that he’d been given two weeks to live and was now in a hospice in Windsor.

Some of you might know Derwin Dean, not that he went to Slough very much anymore, and if he did he took up the Wheatsheaf corner in the bar watching through the glass. But he was the surreal cartoonist for our 'Rebels Without A Clue' fanzine, that featured many celebrities that are now in disgrace, prison and dead. Innocent times or did we always in our heart of hearts know they were wrong ‘uns?

He was also a ballboy at the Greyhound stadium but was apparently sacked cos he didn’t want to collect the balls.

While the club welcomed our fanzine with open arms at first, one article attacking Sloughs then Tory MP appeared in a national newspaper, which escalated and no doubt put the club in an impossible position. Being young, care-free and angry, I was always ready to protest and produce a leaflet at the drop of a hat and didn’t have to worry about the earache the club were no doubt getting.

Which is how it should be really. As we get older we get burdened with more responsibilities and worry more – so we need youngsters to come in with fresh ideas and enthusiasm. Football clubs especially need to keep up with the times if they are to survive. Closed minds and a Meat Raffle Mentality will only lead to the slow death of any organisation.

But youngsters can also have stupid mob mentality as we witnessed at the end of the FA Trophy Farnborough game. This unfortunately led to our league game with them being segregated, a total ballache and more expense and not what this level of football is about. On the same day, Chippenham v Weymouth was also segregated. Is football stupidity coming back?

Our fanzine was there to celebrate our first ever season in what was then the Gola National League. I’d been supporting Slough since I was 12 but had had enough. Infact I wrote in our first fanzine editorial “I stopped going to football ages ago, tired of the bully-boys, the racists, the no humour crew. As we lost to Orient in the cup I wondered, was it all worth it. Surely there was more to life than this. But slowly things have changed. Football seems more positive and this has got a lot to do with the fanzines and the supporters in general making their voices heard. Supporters are the club and clubs should listen a lot more and tell them what’s going on. Footballs a game to be enjoyed. We all go up and down with the fortunes of our team, but one things for sure, I’ll enjoy the coming season, have a laugh and try not to take it too serious...try.”

I’m pretty sure that was Derwins outlook on life. Derwin was the one you would want at your pub table with his ridiculous stories; he was a top quizmaster and music maestro and one of those people who bought comics but never opened them in case they were worth money one day. Like sitting with my nan who used to shout at Antiques Roadshow saying she used to have that. Derwins problems was that there were thousands of people like him who thought the same about their precious unopened comics.

I like to arrive early at Arbour Park watching the buzz of the place as it starts to fill up while others rush around to make sure it all goes smoothly. Maybe I like it more, cos unlike work or our community pub, I’m not responsible. But there’s a real community feel as people greet each other, like they have done at Slough matches throughout the years, and welcome new supporters.

No matter what life throws at you, you have to have a laugh. That’s probably a bit flippant, when bombs are being dropped on your head or your country is being washed away by rising sea levels.

But despite all the terrible things going on in the world, there are lots of good people who live a good life and help each other out. Derwin was one of those people. Him and his double-act Mr.Icky were the first people round my dads house to help clear it with our family after he died.

I perhaps stupidly believe that individuals can make a difference. That a few good people can get together and change the world -or at least their small corners of it. I’m sure all Derwins nephews and nieces loved their Uncle Monster who changed their worlds for the better.

The world needs more people like Derwin Dean. Rest well my friend, you bought joy and laughter to everyone. Maybe we all mustn’t grumble as much.

* Derwins funeral takes place on January 5th 1pm at Slough Crematorium followed by a celebration of his life at the Irish Club