Responding to information received on the Chelsea Old Mate’s grapevine ,that Ronny Lalor and Bobby Degan were both in Gosford Hospital receiving treatment plus Warren Thompson had acquired a motorised scooter that we wished to deliver to John Heard at The Entrance .On the 11 November 2019 a day trip was arranged to visit the three of these Mates .

The group comprised of Warren Thompson, Colin Downing, Bob McCarthy, Leo Toohey, Bob Lanigan and Lance Henry, MOL Central Coast (both joined us at Gosford Hospital) and I.

On the drive up to The Entrance , you can only imagine the tall stories and crooning songs that were told/sung by Messra “Frank Sinatra” Toohey and Macca ( suggested he needs more singing lessons) , accompanied by Thommo and Rex Downing (both differently need a lot more singing lessons) .

As you can imagine too , the conversation turned to rugby league and our discussions covered from playing with Chelsea United through to grade with several District Clubs and representative games for Australia .

Being the Driver , I was like the others thoroughly entertained with the stories/exploits Bobby told us about his Australian Representative team trips overseas and South Sydney,Canterbury Bankstown  days plus Leo’s told us his experiences playing with Parramatta, Canterbury Bankstown, North Sydney and Warren’s with South Sydney, North Sydney and St George –

BUT SADLY WHAT WAS SAID ON THE BUS – HAS TO STAY ON THE BUS !!!

When we set off from the Erskineville Bowling Club earlier in the morning , about an hour away from The Entrance we had no idea of the sad news that we would receive on a phone call from John Heard ??

John told us that he had received two phone calls telling him that “Bobby Degan had passed away in Gosford Hospital earlier in the day “ .

To say we were shocked would be an understatement !!

I have to confess our minds were blank as we continued along to John’s home and delivered the replacement motor scooter to a thankful John (his loan scooter had to be returned to the owner); after gaining our senses we continued onto the Gosford Hospital where we were told that Bob had passed away and not being members of his Family , we were unable to acquire any further details.

However , contact with John “Carrots” Thompson revealed that Bobby had been at a Umina Beach Nursing Home for several weeks but had been referred a few times to the Gosford Hospital for additional care and he had succumbed to his health issues .

A VALE has been placed on the Chelsea Old Mates Website under “Articles” and several notifications placed on the Chelsea Old Mates Facebook page .

At the Ettalong Bowling Club on 23 November 2019 from 1200 , Friends’ of Bobby are asked to gather and remember him over a few beers.

WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU BOBBY.

*

Ken, Lyn, Ron, Warren, Col, Bob Mc, Leo, Bob Lanigan, Lance Henry and John Heard.

Then somewhat shell shocked we went to visit Ron and his lovely wife Lyn in his Ward and were delighted to see him up seating in a chair . Ron had been through  difficult times with some stomach issues which were now on the mend and he was hopeful of being discharged to go to a local rehab location . By the way now that Heardy had joined the Group the stories of “old” certainly flowed ever more , if that was possible. Ron was so thankful for us to make the visit to see him and we were thrilled that he looked on the road to recovery.

Naturally we all recalled how and reminded Ron that he without doubt was the “best dressed “ person to ever don the Chelsea United RLF Club jersey.

Scoop, Col, Bob, John Heard, Leo .

We are pleased to inform that Ron is now in a  Woy Woy Rehab Centre.

We will stay in contact with Ron and Lyn to monitor how his rehab goes.

Lyn, Ron and Warren Thompson.

A special thanks to Lance Henry , Men of League Central Coast for attending with us and being part of a very rewarding experience .

I believe it was meant to be that we made this specific trip to be there for our Chelsea Old Mates.

Written by Ken “Scoop” Vessey.

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