Members News: CCFC’s Oldest Living Player Hits 93 Today! ‘Happy Birthday’, Dennis!!
Dennis Churms in Bantams kit
Just over a year ago at the end of May last year we announced that veteran CCFC defender Dennis Churms had become the Association’s latest recruit. More than that Dennis, a native Yorkshireman born in Rotherham on 8th May 1931, is celebrating his 93rd birthday today and therefore continues to be our oldest current member (as well as CCFC’s oldest living player)! For the record, Ronnie Waldock is our second oldest former player aged 92! Therefore, only our oldest Coventry City fans are likely to have seen him play in the pre Sky Blues era when the team were nicknamed ‘The Bantams’.
After playing for local side, Spurley Hey, Churms signed professional forms for home town club Rotherham United in April 1950 but only played fifteen league matches for his local club before being attached on loan to Gainsborough Trinity in 1952-53.
CCFC’s Dennis Churms
Dennis joined CCFC from the Millers in June 1956 alongside another young player Frank Meadows and made his debut for the Bantams at inside right in a Division Three South home 1-0 victory over Exeter City. After appearing in another ten league games for CCFC and scoring two goals, he signed for the Grecians for a four figure transfer in March 1957.
Dennis played in the final 10 league matches of the 1956-57 season for the Devon club and though contributing another 35 league and cup appearances (netting a respectable eight times) in 1957-58 Exeter had a disastrous season finishing bottom of D3S and Dennis left for pastures new.
Despite York City having made a £500 offer for Dennis’ signature in July 1958 his new club from close season 1959 was at the other end of the country, Southern League Folkestone Town where he apparently stayed until hanging up his boots in 1967. Dennis worked for British Railways as an electrician for 34 years before taking early retirement in 1993.
Dapper Dennis sports his official CCFPA tie on joining us
Still living in Folkestone, he has since continued an active life involving squash and golf and still watching his old club until the age of 86. Daughter Alison told CCFPA Chairman Jim Brown her dad has a fantastic sense of humour and is enjoying life on the South Coast with his wife and seeing his three children, six grandchildren and three great grandchildren, who all live close by. Though he didn’t make it to either Legends Day 2023 or 24 we hope Alison and her brother can bring him to a Sky Blues game or CCFPA event next season.
Have a really great day today Dennis!
