Roland Williams, back row, far left, in a St.Olave's school team from the early 1960s.

Roland Williams

Dick Spooner writes: Roland Williams, whose career was as a broker and underwriter in the City, was secretary of the Old Olavians Fives Club from 1969 to 1974, which coincided with what was then the most successful period in the club's history. He served on the EFA Committee and was also a Jester.

His sudden death in June 2017 at the age of 72 in his adopted home of Fuerteventura, since 2007, was an immense shock to family and friends. He was due to fly to England to attend the funeral of fellow Olavian, Brian Featherstone, when he was rushed into hospital, but he died three days later.

I had been friends with Roland for over 50 years. We first met in about 1963 on an Old Olavian Fives tour to Charterhouse and Lancing. Like other aspects of Roland's life, his Fives career makes interesting reading. He was in the school Fives team, but his game really developed with the Old Olavians and by dint of much practice and application, he became an accomplished player. So much so, that he was in the winning Alan Barber Cup side of 1971 and he also played in the 1973 and 1974 finals. He continued playing Fives until the late 1990s.

A memorial gathering of family and friends, including a number of past and present

Olavian Fives players, was held in Roland's honour at what used to be the 'King of Belgium' (now Bridge Lounge) in Tooley Street, opposite the old school, and which is now a luxury hotel.

Our condolences go to his wife, Jane.