The Deeley family were not able to attend the final Saturday of the Mike Small cup series on 5 February, so we had to wait until a week later for the announcement that long term club member (37 years and counting) Andrew Fuller was victorious.
Mike Small is another of the club's great characters from the past. Mike had a horrific motorcycle accident in his youth which left him with one arm, a whithered leg and in continuous pain. Mike viewed this as a hindrance, not a disability. His wicked sense of humour never left him and is reflected in the shape of the cup adapted to Mike's specifications by club silversmith Bill Phipps: half an arm and a wonky base.
Mike Small, a great character and a great friend to all that had the pleasure to swim with him.
Christmas 1991, Mike in the water awaiting the start of the race. His one-arm backstroke inevitably meant he was first away.
Swimming on his back, Mike would be in the water twice as long as most of the other swimmers. He would make an action like throwing salt over his shoulder with his one good arm, slowly making progress along the course, cheered all the way, only to be overtaken by all the other swimmers on the finish line. He wouldn't have wanted it any other way.
The cup was fashioned by club silversmith Bill Phipps to Mike's own specification - one handle and a wonky base
Winner on points was Andrew Fuller, who is now in his 37th year with the club
“The Mike Small Cup” is in memory of Mike, a big man, who joined the club whilst doing the rounds of the London swimming pools and watering holes by courtesy of London's first elected Mayor, Ken Livingstone and his free bus pass scheme. Mike had a horrific motorcycle accident in his youth, which left him disabled with a clubfoot, only one arm, and in continuous pain. But this disability did not destroy his wicked sense of humour. Before the race he would sit down and do “The Times” crossword or an intricate origami bird or butterfly while he waited for his mark, then struggle to put his rubber swimming hat on his head with his one good hand, and would remark to onlookers, “if you think that's difficult, try putting a condom on with one hand in the heat of the moment”. With such a handicap he was usually the limit man, swimming on his back, he would be in the water twice as long as most of the other swimmers. He would make an action like throwing salt over his shoulder with his one good arm, slowly making progress along the course, cheered all the way, only to be overtaken by all the other swimmers on the finish line. He wouldn't have wanted it any other way. Before he died, he summoned the club Secretary to his home, and coolly announced, “I’ve only got a month to go on this earth and I want to present a cup” - it was to have only one handle and a dodgy base, for a competition. This was duly fashioned by the club's silversmith, Bill Phipps and presented to Mike by Alan Titmuss just days before he died. I suspect he's up there somewhere looking down and laughing at all those silly sods battling their way through the icy waters, in the coldest part of the year, for his unusual trophy.
5 February - a crisp morning and beautiful sky graced the final Saturday of the series
Club stalwart and long term committee member Andrew Deeley was lakeside 12 February to present the cup and prizes
Natasha 2nd
Tony 3rd
Mike 4th
Nichola 5th
The wooden spoon went to Norman Jones, but he was too bashful for a photo
In the summer of 1992 Mike was told his cancer had spread and he only had weeks to live. He penned a moving letter to his friends inside and outside of the club. He signed off with the following message:
"The next time you're in a pub, raise a glass to me and I shall be content. It has been a pleasure and a privilege to have known you all."
For further background on the "spring series" and Bill and Andy Deeley's long connection with the club please follow this link -
http://serpentineswimmingclub.com/news/51080/2020-mike-small-series