It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Chris Latham, former President of Sidcup RFC. Chris was President of Sidcup RFC in 1978-1980 and again in the 1982-83 Centenary season. Chris is the only person to have held the position of President of Sidcup RFC for two separate terms.

Chris was a force for change. In the late 1970s and throughout the 1980s, he was instrumental in development of the Seven Counties Merit Table, widely regarded as the forerunner of league rugby in London and the South East. Along with colleagues at Sutton & Epsom RFC and Woodford RFC, Chris worked tirelessly to develop merit table rugby, find sponsors and spread the word around south east England increasing the number of participating clubs from 7 to 13 over the first three seasons. Sidcup benefited greatly from Chris' work, being placed top in the first merit table competition in 1979/80 and winning it twice more in the next four seasons. The Seven Counties Merit Table was wound up at the end of the 1992/93 season but placings in the table were used as a guide by the RFU for the placing of clubs in the formative days of league rugby.

In 1982/83, in his second spell as President, Chris was honoured to be able to welcome such clubs as Harlequins, London Welsh, Cambridge University, The Penguins and Kent RFU to Sidcup to help celebrate the centenary season.

After stepping down as President, Chris continued to support the club, most recently in his role as Club Archivist.

Our thoughts are with Chris' wife Barbara and their family.

Funeral arrangements...
St Nicholas Church, 18 Church Row, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5PG
1 pm, Thursday 1st March.
Afterwards at Chislehurst Golf Club, Camden Park Road, Chislehurst - from 2.30pm
Family flowers only.
Donations to Alzheimers Society: https://www.memorygiving.com/christopherlatham