Robin Chandler 1945 - 2025

It is, with regret, we hear the news that a stalwart of the club - Robin Chandler has passed away.

Robin was an outstanding Javelin thrower in his younger days with a PB of 67+ m m and was in the top 10 in the UK in the 1960's. 

He remained a member of the club for the rest of his life participating as an official, as a team manager and as a committee member before being given an Honorary membership for all his contributions to both Richmond and Twickenham AC and - it's later evolvement - SMRAC.

Older club members may remember Robin in one or more of these roles:

John Curtin (Throws coach and President) writes:

Robin joined Twickenham Athletics club in 1965, a year before I joined.  I was with Robin in 1967  where he was competing against a GB national thrower named John Greasley. The meeting was at Woodford Bridge where Robin threw his PB of 229 feet (69m). He was narrowly beaten by Greasley.

Robin was a great friend of mine and I competed with him in many athletics meeting for the club throughout the 60's and 70's.

Written by Gary Palmer (club member since the 1980s and past President of the club):-

Robin was truly a club legend. The longest serving member going back to the founding of Twickenham AC back in 1964, Robin was an outstanding Nationally ranked Javelin thrower, still holding the club record with the old specification javelin with a throw of over 67m. 

More than just an outstanding athlete though, Robin was an amazing club member. Over 40 years at the club, Robin’s contribution is so hard to measure. As well as competing regularly, he coached many athletes across all throws disciplines, acted as Men’s Team Manager for over 20 years, officiated at club fixtures up and down the country and was a long-standing committee member.

I shall always hold special memories of Robin on our annual pre-season Club Tours to Malta and Portugal throughout the 1990s. Robin was a real character, just as comfortable chatting to strangers from foreign shores as he was helping our athletes to be the best version of themselves. Often the club entertainer, his stories and songs will be with me and our team mates forever. 

Robin can be attributed for creating the fantastic team culture that always made Richmond and Twickenham AC (and now St Mary’s Richmond AC) so unique compared to other athletics clubs. 

It was not unusual for the team to meet up the night before an event, compete throughout the next day, socialise together long into the night afterwards and still be at training the next day. 

The club became an extended family, and the team members stood shoulder to shoulder to help each other. It was no surprise that Robin led the team to its highest ever Southern League finish, narrowly missing out on reaching the National League, the pinnacle of club athletics. 

I have long since considered Robin as part of my extended family and, as a god parent to my daughter, our friendship extended well beyond the athletics field. I feel privileged to have had Robin in my life and I am sure that fellow team members from across the years feel the same.

Rest in peace my great friend.

Photos from warm weather training trips to Malta and Portugal with full involvement from Robin

Kim Weir (Membership Sec from 2005 - 2020), coach, official and Masters athlete writes:

Robin welcomed me into the club when Richmond + Twickenham AC evolved into SMRAC. With his effusive style and encouragement, he helped me develop from someone who wanted to volunteer but didnt know much about athletics at that point into a Committee member who took on whatever was needed. Robin had helped create  - along with several other club members - a club that felt like an extended family where I felt I could belong and encouraged my involvement in all aspects of the club. I had the privildge of learning how to officiate and team mange with Robin showing me the ropes.

 

Robin officiating at SML league shot putt

SML end of season team photo 2011 (Robin is at the back)

SML end of season team dinner 2010 - Robin is front and left

A Memorial Match is in the process of being planned in Robin's memory for summer 2026. More inormation to follow.