Trebor Extra Strong Mints. Packet after packet of them on the touchlines both at Lammack and at ‘away’ school venues, when we both coached the 1st X1 Football Team together. First question was always to each other ‘ Have you brought the mints?’ But it was much much more that we shared. Hoppy’s room somewhere past the stairs in Hartley House, a sharp right turn and then a left. Probably my staff room rather than the Common Room. Countless cups of coffee, lots of football talk, and selecting the team for Saturday or Wednesday. Splitting the long Michaelmas Term into sections to help it along. ‘ How was the summer, Hops? ‘ Next question ‘How long to Repton?’ ( Always the first week in October). Then it was half term. ‘ How many weeks to Shrewsbury? ‘( Usually mid November). Then we were on the downhill to Christmas because the 6’s ISFA Tournament In London always took place in the last week of term. Mini bus with 12 footballers in the back, me, Hoppy and Vincent Chester ( groundsman) in the front. Later with Vince O’ Keefe. A football tour to The Hague. One abiding memory sitting in the restaurant on the ferry at about 7 am and Hoppy looking over my shoulder through the porthole. ‘ It’s a real optical illusion isn’t it, Dave. You just don’t seem to be moving, do you ? ‘ That’s probably because we docked about an hour ago, Hops’. I spent 16 years with Hops at Qegs. Colleagues and friends of course. To reconnect as a Trustee and witness his outstanding work as the Clerk to the Governors has been a privilege. More to the point though, sitting recording the meetings was one of the great stalwarts of Queen Elizabeth’s G.S. Dave Hopkinson is woven into the fabric of the school, and wherever or whenever you meet an ex pupil who was taught, coached or mentored by him, and mention his name, the look of deep respect and almost reverence is quite something to behold. Dave Hopkinson shaped pupils into people that reflected the nature of the man and the school which he served for over 48 years.