Ipswich Town pays tribute to stalwart secretary David Rose

Tributes have been paid to the man who spent his working life ensuring that everything ran smoothly at Ipswich Town, drawing up players’ contracts to travelling to each and every game – and ensuring the board room’s supply of white wine never ran dry.

For any young Town fans, it sounds like a dream come true; in 1958, David Rose was a 15-year-old student at Westbourne High School when he heard an announcement in morning assembly that Ipswich Town was seeking an office boy.

David was surely one of many who excitedly wrote to the club to apply – but it was he who received a reply from none other than Sir Alf Ramsey, offering him a three-month trial.

David would remain at the club for the next 45 years.

David Rose faithfully served Ipswich Town for 45 years. (Image: Archant Archive)

"Before I arrived apprentice players worked in the office in the afternoon. The last one was Russell Pelling,” David told the EADT in 2003, after he had finally retired.

"I'd make the tea but would also have to place cups and saucers to catch the drips where there were leaks in the roof of the wooden hut that included the manager's office and the board room.

"There were bullet holes at the back. The Army had used the ground for training during the Second World War.

"It's hard to believe that Ipswich Town became champions of England in the 1961-62 season with such a slender staff, other than the players.”

David soon became an indispensable part of the Ipswich Town family.

David managed the day-to-day running of the club with a smile on his face. (Image: Archant Archive)

In 1975, he was appointed as club secretary, taking over from Wally Gray. This role encompassed all  of the day-to-day administration of the club, from managing memberships, meetings, insurance, and contracts for players, to name but a few duties.

“His role was absolutely crucial,” explained former Town player, Simon Milton, who met David after joining the team in 1987.

Former Town player Simon Milton paid tribute to David Rose.

“There was nobody who David didn’t help. He was always in his office – of course, a job like his was all consuming. But he loved it.”

“David was enormously respected,” agreed former Blues chairman David Sheepshanks, who knew Mr Rose for 40 years.

Mr Sheepshanks was first elected to the club board in 1987, becoming chairman in 1995.

“This was a time when football was rapidly changing, and David was very much a guiding hand for me,” explained Mr Sheepshanks.

“Everyone listened to David; the directors would ask for his advice and guidance. He was a fount of knowledge.”

David Sheepshanks, former Blues chairman, paid tribute to David Rose. (Image: Archant)

In a famous moment in Ipswich Town’s history, former Chairman John Cobbold was once asked what would constitute a calamity at Portman Road.

He cheekily quipped: "There will never be a crisis at Ipswich Town – unless the white wine runs out in the board room!"

Thanks to David, no such tragedy ever occurred.

Aside from football, David was devoted to his family, his wife, Jo, and their four children. (Image: Archant Archive) The final match David attended was Town's game against Huddersfield Town in May as they secured promotion to the Premier League. (Image: Archant Archive)

Although his was surely a stressful job at times, David never came to work without a smile on his face. He was also known for his wry sense of humour, and was known to enjoy a good joke.

There was an occasion when Sir Bobby Robson had taken the team to a theme park ahead of a game in Germany, having decided his players needed time to switch off and relax.

A resident magician asked for a volunteer, and David gamely stepped forward join in the fun of having his watch and belt removed without his knowledge – and only just preventing his trousers from dropping to the floor, to general hilarity.

While David went to every game, home and away, he always made sure to keep a cool head.

“He would have one gin and tonic when he arrived, always just the one,” laughed Mr Sheepshank.

David was at the heart of the team through good times and bad, including during its UEFA Cup success in 1981.

Aside from football, David was also a proud Suffolk man, and a lover of tennis and cricket. He was keen to do everything he could to encourage grassroots players, just as he himself had been given a chance as a youngster.

He became a non-playing captain of the Suffolk men’s tennis team and served on the LTA (Lawn Tennis Association) council.

He also served as an independent member of Babergh District Council, representing his home village, Holbrook, as well as Harkstead.

David finally retired from Ipswich Town in 2003, but he remained as close to the club as ever.

In 2017 he was inducted into the Ipswich Hall of Fame in tribute to his outstanding service, not only to all things Town, but football in general.

When Ipswich Town made the Premier League in May, he was in the crowds, cheering along.

“David was an understated man, but a very great man, the like of which we won’t see again,” said Mr Sheepshanks.

“He was a devoted servant of Ipswich Town, and football in the county and indeed the country.

"What a phenomenal legacy he leaves behind."

David Rose passed away, aged 81. He is survived by his wife, Jo, his four children, Paul, Amanda, Sarah and James, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.