Deryk Jack Watling

Born in Stratford, West Ham in 1933, Deryk started life with a strong allegiance to his local team The Hammers.

He began working for the Frizzell Group in 1950 at their head office in London.

Six years later Deryk met his future wife Shirley at a local dance and they married in 1959.

When Frizzells relocated to Westbourne in 1970 he moved down South.

With a strong work ethic, the father-of-two rose to the position of divisional director, retiring in 1992.

Deryk started supporting the Cherries when he set up home in Bournemouth, often taking his young son Russell to many home and occasional away games.

His daughter Claire married Steve, a Bournemouth supporter for many years, who easily fitted in with the family of Cherries fans.

A loyal season ticket supporter, Deryk rarely missed games until ill health prevented his visits to the ground late last year.

He would, however, listen intently to the match commentary and results on the radio and television.

Deryk and Shirley, who have five grandchildren, enjoyed many foreign breaks with their off-spring. Spain’s Costa Brava was a favourite destination.

Their last holiday was a trip to St Lucia in the Caribbean in November.

An amazing gardener, Deryk imported and nurtured many tropical plants and flowers, including bananas, lemons, oranges, palms and tree ferns.

He was one of the first people in the country to grow his own palm trees and the family home now boasts palms, towering up to 30 feet high, which would do any foreign swimming pool proud.

The much-loved husband, father and grandfather’s funeral service was held at Bournemouth Crematorium on December 21.