Mr Victor Clarke.
A SPORTSMAN and well-known Freshwater resident, Victor Clarke, died at home in Birch Close, aged 95, on January 13.
He was born and brought up in the villageand went to school locally. He completed his plumbing apprenticeship with W. M. Downer in 1936.
He represented the IW in both cricket and football.
At 16, he played for West Wight FC, who won the Island Junior Cup and the Island Second Division in 1934 and were promoted to Island First Division.
He played professional football at Cowes from 1937 to 1946 and for the newly reformed West Wight FC in 1946 and won several cups, including the Memorial and Challenge Cups. He retired from football aged 40.
He played cricket for Northwood and East Cowes and represented the Island, skippering the side a number of times.
In 1957, the family moved to the mainland where Mr Clarke worked at the Esso Refinery. He played for the Esso 1st XI at cricket, and was promoted to captain in 1960. They won the Southampton Central Knock-out competition.
Vic retired aged 60 and took a cricket umpiring course.
He returned to the island in 1984, was co-opted onto the West Wight FC committee and became life vice-president.
He was a founder member of the Freshwater Short Mat Bowling Club, winning quite a few Island competitions. He continued playing until September 2011.
In 2005, West Wight FC nominated Mr Clarke for a sports achievement award. He was presented with the trophy by Kevan James at the IW Sports Personality Awards in January 2006.
Both he and his elder brother, Nobby Clarke, were retained firemen at Freshwater until 1956.
His wife, Stella, died in 2002 and he leaves children David, Bob, Phillip and Sally.
He had six grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and was uncle to Bryan, Janet and Jan.
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