Former teammates of a hockey goalkeeper who died from meningitis 25 years ago have launched a joke book to raise funds for a charity researching the disease.
Big Eddie’s Joke Book is a tribute to Eddie Rosen, son of children’s author and poet, Michael Rosen. Eddie died from meningitis aged 18 in 1999.
Players from Gunners Hockey Club in London created the book as a celebration of his life and love of laughter.
Eddie was part of a youth hockey programme run by Arsenal in the Community, one of its first schemes.
They shared countless jokes while travelling together by minibus, creating friendship bonds that remain to this day.
The Gunners Hockey programme has been running for more than a quarter of a century and over this time has introduced more than 15,000 inner city children to hockey via a structured programme.
Arsenal has had its own team competing in the London Hockey League Division 5, linked to parent club Old Loughtonians Hockey Club. The Gunners have won six league titles.
The Gunners has provided numerous graduates to the Old Loughtonians first team, including Warren D’Souza, John Brown and Darren Cheesman.
Freddie Hudson, Eddie’s former coach who is now head of Arsenal in the Community, said: “A joke book is a fitting way to remember Eddie. Humour was at the heart of the Gunners Hockey set-up and Eddie was a master.
“Knowing that people may find themselves smiling or chuckling over the jokes is a lovely way of keeping his memory alive.”
Charlotte Ulett, senior events and community manager from the Meningitis Research Foundation, said: “Meningitis can strike anyone, anywhere, at any time. Our vision is a world free from the fear of meningitis.
“What makes this joke book special is that it’s a touching tribute, giving everyone a glimpse of Eddie’s character and the fun he brought to those around him.”
The project is a limited edition run, priced at £7, and has gone on sale via Meningitis Research Foundation’s online shop
