IP Farewell - A lot of tributes to the big man
Posted 25th May 2025
Dear all,
It is with great sadness that I write this message to inform you all that Ian Pilgrim has passed away.
Aside from being our Life President and one of the founders of our Colts Programme he has been a mainstay of the club from his playing days through his many years of contributing to the running of the club. I must also record just how good a man he was, a gentleman and a true leader of the ethos of the club.
Many more deserved tributes will follow but for now I am sure that all our thoughts and love are with Denise, David, Craig and the wider Pilgrim family.
IP or ‘Doosey God’ truly was one of the great men, and the club wouldn’t be where it was today if it wasn’t for him. Thoughts go out to Dave, Denise, and the rest of the Pilgrims at this difficult time ????????
Oh my God. I am shocked to the core. My heart goes out to his marvellous family. What a lovely lovely man. As most of you know we have experienced a wretched time this past year or so. I can only say that to us, Ian was a tower of strength for us with endless kindness. Denise, David and Craig I cannot tell you how distraught I feel and will do anything you want to help. I am so very sorry. My love to you all,
Terribly sad news.
IP was a lovely, friendly, fun person.
He loved our Colts - from getting it started to always offering to help if he could in recent years.
He will be sorely missed and our thoughts are with the wonderful family he leaves behind, which if I understood what OWs meant to IP, includes all of us!
The worst possible message to receive but truly a legend! Struggling to know what to say but IP was not just the nicest person you could meet but one of the heart and souls of OWCC. A huge loss to this amazing place but please make sure we continue his legacy. To the pilgrims, our thoughts and love are with you and we are always here with whatever you need. It’s been an awful few weeks for the club but please can I ask that we make Saturday a celebration of life for IP and Linda. Love to you all
It’s hard to find the words. We all know the term legend gets thrown around too much, but it couldn’t be a more appropriate term for IP. He was my first ever cricket coach, and I’ll never forget the patience he showed me when I literally couldn’t hit a tennis ball off a tee aged 11. He stuck by me, and always with a smile on his face. He taught me so much more than cricket, he taught me what it meant to care about a club and the people around me, he showed the kind of mentality and ethos that I’ve built my sporting life on. When my Dad used to watch me play by sitting in his car in the same spot in the car park, IP always took the time to go and speak to him which I know my dad valued so much (usually he was litter picking at the time which shows exactly the kind of man he was!)He’s genuinely shaped me as a person, and in recent times especially he’s done so much for my family. For me IP is the club. I’ll miss him so much. Love to all of the Pilgrim family , from all of my family ❤️
Absolutely devastating news to hear. The phrase “true gentleman” was made for IP.. Simply the best. So so gutted such a great friend
Terribly sad and shocking news. IP gave me a wonderful welcome when I joined OWs 12 years ago, and has been tremendous in providing all sorts of support - to me and to my daughter Laura who arrived to play at the Club before me as a teenager - both on and off the field ever since. I am very aware that much of what the Club is today is down to Ian and Denise. Thoughts and condolences to Denise, to David, and to the rest of the Pilgrim family.
Echoing everyone in saying theres no other words to describe the Emperor other then a legend, gonna miss the big dog so much. Will have a good drink this weekend in the memory of the doosey king and try sort out a few games of penny up the chuff! ???? ❤ my love and heart goes out to the pilgrims, im truly devastated.
No words at this time would be adequate but it is no exaggeration to say Ian is the reason myself and Jo have been watching Old Wilsonians for so many years. From the first day we turned up with Louis at the club he was always so welcoming and a joy to talk to.
On the cricketing side his approach to the boys was everything you’d want in a coach. He not only taught them the technical skills required but perhaps more importantly how to conduct themselves.
Both Jo and I will miss IP greatly and sincere condolences to Denise, David, Craig and the wider Pilgrim family.
He taught us well.
Those many wise, considered, caring words IP wrote and spoke previously are now being echoed in an outpouring of love and respect to him. And they are so deserved.
Not sure I can imagine an OWs without him, I certainly don’t want to.
Our thoughts are with Denise, Craig and David and all the Pilgrims
It’s really shocking to hear that Ian P is no more. Like Laurence, when I joined the club a few years back, he was the first person I spoke to, where he greeted me with the warmest smile and welcoming handshake.
A true gentleman whose kindness, grace, and unwavering integrity touched so many lives. His gentle spirit, thoughtful nature and sense of humour will be forever cherished. i’m grateful for the time I had with him and the memories we created. May his memory be a source of comfort and peace for his loved ones, Denise, David and Craig. Thinking of you all during this difficult time.
This is such sad news to hear, what a great man. I am so grateful to have got to known and be around IP for so many years and for what he has done for us. He welcomed me and my family into the club and has always be the face of the club and always will be. He is the club, and built something special in our colts which has brought such a great community feel to our club, where so many people that come and play here will never leave. He was always a great man to be around and always had a laugh and joke. Me and my family are sending our love and thoughts to Denise, Dave and all of the family
Nicest man, you could meet. A phenomenal Old Wilsonian. How incredibly sad.
Unbelievably sad news to receive. In a club of great people, Ian stands at the very top. An incredibly selfless, funny and genuinely lovely man. The cricket club would literally not exist without his tireless support and vision. A very, very sad day for all OWs ????
I am gutted. When I joined the club 16 years ago, he gave me the warmest of welcomes and helped me settle in. His influence is why the club is an important part of my life. A positive, consistent, funny, caring person. I will miss him terribly.
Breaks my heart to hear this. Top Old Boy. I truly valued his advice over the years, another colossal presence going to be missed at the club.
Love to his family x
Still trying to process what has happened. The impact he had on my life is immeasurable . I will miss him so much
So very sorry to hear that - he was a lovely man, and I have many fond memories of cricket and football with him. Thinking of you Mick, and the rest of the family. X
I honestly don’t think I’d be who I am without him
Terrible news. A great bloke and a fantastic OW. He’ll be terribly missed.
I am gutted. When I joined the club 16 years ago, he gave me the warmest of welcomes and helped me settle in. His influence is why the club is an important part of my life. A positive, consistent, funny, caring person. I will miss him terribly.
Am in total shock ????. Been a part of my life since he first went to Wilsons, Brian's younger brother who as he became an OW became one of my closest friends and a proud Weeble. With Denise, many a weekend would be spent at the club and back to Kent for a long night, precious memories.
Rest In Peace my dear friend and my thoughts and prayers are with all the family at this time X
Really shocking and sad news! shed a tear after hearing news from my dad, what a man! ‘Win or lose have a booze’, a really supportive and caring coach and man who was the catalyst for me playing cricket when I did (albeit badly), got the love of the game through him, very grateful to be a part of his work driving the junior sections growth as the second cohort of players joining the club. Lots of great memories with him not far from the moment ♥️
Shocked and saddened to hear this. A truly great man loved by everyone at the club. A huge support to me, especially as I took on coaching roles at the club. Selflessly continued to give his time to the club. A very very sad day. Deepest condolences to Denise, Craig and David ????
I can’t believe what I’ve just read.
Loved Ian so much.
Big character and influence on myself and the other original colts at the club.
Forever grateful for all the support he, Denise and the rest of the pilgrim family have given me throughout my time at the club and in life in general.
So sad to hear this news. Sending all me and my Ma’s love to David Craig Micky Denise and the rest of the family. .
X
Our IP u16 cup winning quote…
“Win or lose have a booze if you draw have some more”
Love you IP
Such sad news, what a man. He was the heart and soul of the club and drove the culture in the colts teams that made cricket fun. I'll always remember him after that u16 cup win, steaming and singing championes for 3 hours straight x
It is with great sadness to hear the awful news of Ian Pilgrim’s passing and my sympathies go out to his family. Many good things have already been mentioned and I am sure there will be many more accolades to come and rightly so.As has already been said Ian was a larger than life real character and his mere presence at the club will be sorely missed.At times like these it is very difficult to convey the sadness and loss that we all feel however for the Pilgrim family I hope that knowing that we all care may in some small way help you come to terms with the loss of such a good man
So sad, he was my old boys dad, took me under his wing and protected me from angry centre forwards. A truly great man and great competitor
One of a kind is true. Legend. One of the funniest and nicest geezers around. X
Lovely words Al. Like everyone, I’m shocked by the news but look back at some amazing memories with IP and the club with him central to everything. Loads of people have mentioned already but he was (like you too Al) my Cricket Dad too and I thoroughly enjoyed the early days with you guys helping the colts. Things have got a lot more professional recently I’m sure but turning up half cut to coaching on Sat morning and getting the look of disapproval from IP followed by a smile like ‘don’t worry, we’ve all been there’ are just small memories I’ll always cherish. RIP Ian. A lovely lovely man, and also a bloody good mortgage advisor!
So so sad, IP was one of my first happy memories of the club, such a funny and kind hearted man, best wishes to all of his family and close friends
This is seriously devastating news. ????. Having seen Ian intermittently but fairly regularly in this football season in particular, he always seemed well and in good spirits. Having played alongside him and in front of him and drunk with him on various occasions there are not sufficient adjectives to describe him. Legendary, all round top bloke seems inadequate. He has touched all The Hoffs' lives, especially mine and will be sorely missed.
All our thoughts, love and prayers are with Denise, Mick and the whole family. I and we are truly sorry. RIP IP???? ????????????
I was always and remain in awe of Ian. From my school days, when he was a prefect, and 1stXI captain, to my early OWA days, as my ⚽ centre forward, centre half ( league winning), he always helped me ( and everyone else). He could definitely put in a tackle ????, stand his ground, support his team mates, and then lead them astray in the bar with his "singing" and drinking ????"games." Made everyone feel welcome and included, and a fantastic dry wit to match. As a goalkeeper, he was a dream to have in front of me and definitely looked after me in my early years playing.
Levelled head , calm and a real gentleman. ❤️. He did all of the many jobs behind the scenes and has helped shape the club ( with his lovely Denise) to what it is today. ????????. He took great delight in what's apping me when he had access remotely to the security cameras to" park my car better" in the OWA car park. ????. I had the privilege of knowing Ian Pilgrim for over 50 years.❤️....just a great guy, and friend. Sending all my love and condolences to the whole Pilgrim family....
Words are hard to find sometimes but the shocking news of Ians passing has been met with an outpouring of love, affection and memories of a legendary OW figure.
I attended school with Ian he was a couple of years older and 1st X1 captain when I was in the fifth form. He was an ever present at the club when I started with Ashley's 6th X1 and we played many times in the 2s. Ian slid back to keeper from centre forward / back and we spent many trips to North London in my Mk1 Escort with Ian holding the A Z. The weebles, an OW social Sunday X1 were very much part of the club at the time and Ians little sing songs would get everyone drunk very quickly, he was adept of 'give me names of' when he would suddenly come up with obscure answers.
A tribute to Ian by Alex expands more but Ian was always at the heart of the club, as President, Life President Cricket, running the bar, Football club committee roles etc and latterly overseeing club Insurances. Denise set up the Netball Club with my wife 12 years ago and was always at his side at the club.
Ian recently helped me with the Ball and quite rightly insisted on public liability certificates from our contractors which caused a flurry of activity with 72 hrs to go as the Caterer didn't produce his. But his calm manner ensured all the documentation was in place and he attended with Denise and we managed to have a nice chat on the evening and joked about the missing paperwork. That was the last time I saw him, and treasure that it was in a social setting at the club on a big occasion.
A massive gap in our OW community remains and the club will support Denise and the Pilgrim family in any way it can in the immediate future and as time moves forward.
The club's flag flies at half mast at Hayes.
The cricket club has three 'home' games at Hayes, HD and ex Blues starting at 1230pm and 1pm when a tribute is planned before the first ball is bowled and I would invite OW's to share that moment and join us at the bar to reflect and toast a remarkable OW life lost too soon.
So sorry to hear this news. Big character who looked stern and unapproachable on first glance, but infact was quite the opposite! Big, Kind heart and a wicked sense of humour. Will be sorely missed at the club. Love to the family x
Truly a great man, a massive loss to the ow family and all that had the pleasure of knowing him. Love you IP!
