FOCUS ON: DAVID HURLEY

Prolific goalscorer and high jump champion Alderman David Hurley, Mayor of Gravesham 2019, gives us his own unique take on life at St Mary’s and the ensuing years.

When and where were you born ?

The Livingstone Cottage Hospital, Dartford. two years after Hitler lost his thousand-year Reich.

(One would be extremely careful about using that hospital epithet in today’s “All-Inclusive, Diversity-Manic, Equality-Egomania” times. Kenneth Williams would have had a field-day with that nomenclature)

Where do you live now ?

Being a Kentish-Man, West of The Medway, of course.

Which years did you attend St Mary’s?

I had the pleasure, privilege, and honour, of attending Saint Mary’s from 1959 (Nottingham Forest beat Luton Town 2-1 in The F.A. Cup Final) until 1964 (West Ham beat Preston North End 3-2 in The F.A. Cup Final).

Which primary school had you been at ?

Saint Anselm’s Catholic Primary School, Dartford, Kent. Headmistress: Sister Agnes. Parish Priest. Fr. Coleburt, known as “The Curate Buster”, ‘cos he had so many Curates over the years, including Fr. Maurice Couve de Murville (later Archbishop of Birmingham) and a cousin to the French Foreign Minister of the same name  (1958-1968) and, briefly, French Prime Minister (1968-1969).

How did you get to school ?

Walked to Dartford Railway Station (Two Miles). Then, train to Sidcup, then, either walked ninety miles to Saint Mary’s Grammar School or caught the 228 bus, which never ever turned up.

Happiest memory of St Mary’s?

Being publicly lauded by one’s More Housemaster, Mr. “Spike” Wilkinson, on my very last day at Saint Mary’s in July 1964. A special house meeting was called by “Spike”, after school hours, in the Chemistry Lab (always smelt of strange chemicals).

Well-attended by most of More House chappies (no chappesses in those days),

“Spike” lauded my achievements on all the sporting fields in which I had represented Saint Mary’s, such as:

Captain of all the Football Teams; record goalscorer in The Under-12s footie team scoring 53 goals goals in the season. Denied being accorded the record-holder by Fr. McKeown (“Mugsy”) (Housemaster of Campion ), who wanted to ensure his prodigy and Campion house captain, “Titch” Druce, remained as the record holder with a measly 52 goals. “Titch” subsequently played for Minehead FC and I watched him play for them at Dartford FC. Had a word with him after the game.

I was also captain of the 1^st X1 cricket team and once attended a summer cricket visit to the Marist Seminary in Devon. Played a couple of matches. Had forgotten my cricket boots and had to play in bare feet!!

High-Jump Champion 1963, School Sports Day. Achieved the Record Height of 4feet 10½ inches. Record still stands at 2025.

More House Captain of everything.

Member of Cross-Country Team;

Finalist in School Tennis Competition: Had to borrow a tennis “bat” from Jerry Arliss, ‘cos I didn’t own one. Lost to “Dozy” Tom Richardson in the Final, 6-1. 6-3. He slaughtered me. Eventually, I found out that “Dozy” played regularly for either Shortlands or Bromley Tennis Club and had loads of tennis “bats” of his own, all with posh bloody tennis “bat” covers. He probably even had his initials on the covers !!! He also wore a real tennis Sweater. I had no chance!

“Dozy” won a Silver Cup. I got given six tennis balls (used). Great !!!;

Highly-rated as a Gymnast by Ted “Nosher” Robinson (P.E. Master and R.I. Master), who lauded me because I could do a backward somersault (with Tuck) from a standing start.  He called it a “Flick-Flack”;

At the very end of this wonderful sporting eulogy, with me glowing with pride, “Spike” delivered his “coup de grace”:

“Dave”, he said (the ONLY time he ever addressed me as such); “you have been outstanding as a Sportsman and as a leader amongst your sporting comrades, you have represented Saint Mary’s to a very high degree and to fulsome praise by others. However……..

ACADEMICALLY . . . YOU ARE A WASTE OF SPACE !!!”

Worst memory of St Mary’s?

Delighted to say I have no real worst memories of my Alma Mater. The only possible contender for a worst memory would be when my old “friend” Fr McKeown called me “a long streak of S * * T” (Nice chap. Nice Priest), because I had missed a couple of easy open goals whilst playing footie for the school. I burst into tears and my dad got to hear of it. He was a police officer and, of course, the next thing was he quietly went along to the school and had a quiet word with the Headmaster, Fr. Leo McIver. “Muggsie” never verbally insulted me again. He did, from time to time, pick me up from my sitting postion on a chair, at my desk, by lifting me by my cheek and “wagging” my head side to side. He called it his “lolly” and would give his “lolly” to any boy who upset him.

What was your nickname at school ?

Other than Muggsie’s “Long Streak of S * * t” epithet to me, I never ever had a nickname at school.

What subject was your strongest at St Mary’s?

Football.

And your weakest ?

Anything Academic.

Name a song which reminds you of St Mary’s ?

Keep Right On To The End Of The Road.

Name a film which reminds you of St Mary’s ?

Carry On Camping !!!

What was your first car ?

Buttercup.

What was the first 45rpm record (single) you ever bought ?

“Picture Of You” (Joe Brown).

If pushed, what would be your three favourite songs of all time and why ?

There were three Green Bottles, hanging on the wall . . .

There were two Green Bottles, hanging on the wall . . .

There was one Green Bottle, hanging on the wall . . .

‘Cos, I know all the words !!!

And three favourite films and why ?

The Good. (Can’t wait until the sequel);

The Bad. (Can’t wait until the sequel);

The Ugly. (Now understand the prequels).

And three favourite books and why ?

The Bible. (Can’t wait until the sequel);

Our Mutual Friend (Dickens). (good read);

Victorian Football Teams and their Colours. (chance to win a Pub Quiz).

And three favourite TV series and why ?

Haven’t got a TV, so cannot answer.

Your top three bands ?

Elastic.

Rubber.

Military.

Your top three artists ?

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.

Dame Olga Maria Elisabeth Friederika Schwarzkopf.

The Tallis Scholars.

Your favourite actor ?

Me.

Did you go on to Further Education after St Mary’s?

Take your pick: Five-Year apprenticeship with internationally-recognised printing company in London; Army Service all over the World; The residue of the time spent being educated in Life’s Rich Tapestry both in England and abroad.

Which profession have you mainly been employed in since school ?

Varied.

Printing. Publishing. Newspapers. Army. Sales. Local Government.

What is your favourite sports team?

Leyton Orient F.C.

Do you collect anything ?

Parking Tickets.

If on Mastermind, what would be your specialist subject ?

Mediæval History and Football in that period.

Favourite country visited and why ?

Too many countries visited all over the World. Not one favourite. Loved them all but coming back to England is sweetest of all.

Are you still in contact with any St Mary’s old boys ?

Yes. Several.

When you think back to St Mary’s, what phrase or words spring to mind ?

“Hurley. Academically . . . You’re A Waste Of Space”.

What would be top of your life ‘bucket’ list ?

How do I get out of this bleedin’ bucket ?

Can you supply a then and now photograph of yourself ?

Record-Breaking  4 feet 10½ inches High Jump by “The Young Thruster”, “Sniper” David Hurley, 1963, Saint Mary’s Sports Day. Gerald Hurley (Brother), also Saint Mary’s attendee, watching. “Sniper’s” record still stands in 2025.