Denis Flack (1925-1989)

DENIS George Flack came to Grantham in 1964 and became a legend in aquatic sports –especially water polo.

Born in Lincoln, he was transferred by Ruston and Hornsby of Lincoln to Grantham in 1964 to work in the drawing office of Alfred Wiseman Ltd.

He had taken an interest in water polo at Boultham outdoor pool, Lincoln, and joined the local club in 1950.

After being made redundant, he joined Coles Cranes where he met a similar fate in 1985. A year of unemployment followed before become a pool attendant at Grantham Leisure Centre, Union Street.

Water sports had been his life. He was assistant coach of King’s School water polo team from 1970m until his death in 1989, a life member of Grantham Swimming Club, past president of Lincolnshire Amateur Swimming Association and president of Lincolnshire Water Polo League.

The experience of Denis, who was firm but friendly, saw King’s Water Polo winning a succession of national titles. He believed enjoyment was far more important than ‘pot-hunting’. In those days, he would be travelling 4,000 miles a year with the squad.

He was also an active member of Grantham Sports Council and when the organisation held a sports festival in 1984 at Arnoldfield sports field, involving 150 clubs and 40 different sports, Denis was in charge of planning. His attention to detail would have made the D-Day landings simple by comparison.

Outside of sport, he was a keen stamp (mainly UK) collector and had an impressive collection of model vintage cars.