Previously a member of numerous GMA committees as well as the association’s board of directors, Derek has completed stints as national chairman and president. He spent 26 years as the grounds manager at Wimbledon Football Club’s training site and retired as SALTEX Operations Manager in 2024 after his 42nd show.

In addition to being awarded the British Empire Medal in 1991 for his services to groundsmanship, and in 2014 also receiving the Association of Event Organisers’ Unsung Hero award, Derek has regularly written, lectured and broadcast on all matters relating to turf care - including running lawn clinics for the BBC Gardeners World Live exhibition and involvement with the annual Chelsea Show as well as with the Britain in Bloom competition.

Indeed, the accolades not only recognise his individual talents as a SALTEX team leader and operations director - his dedication to this role was acknowledged ‘royally’ at the 2009 show when he was presented to HRH The Duke of Kent - but they also signify his expertise as an experienced horticulturist and groundsman.

The Crazy Gang was a nickname used by the media to describe the Wimbledon football players during the 1980s and ‘90s. The name was used because of the often eccentric and boisterously macho-behaviour of the players, who frequently played outrageous practical jokes on each other and on the club's manager Dave Bassett. Dave, who was team manager from 1981 to 1987, said he well remembers Derek’s grounds management expertise: “Derek produced pristine pitches for us,” he said.

Derek continues: “I have so many fond memories of the 26 years I spent at the club and especially of the Crazy Gang and the antics of the likes of Vinnie Jones.”  He says one classic memory was when the club won the FA Cup (in 1988) and he was entrusted with the [solid silver] cup’s safekeeping overnight until it was collected for the next day’s open-top bus parade. He says he got very little sleep that night worrying about the responsibility of having such a valuable trophy in the house!

Away from the world of horticulture and grass that he loves, Derek likes to spend time watching sport, eating out and visiting historical sites.

That statement, if you ever needed it, is another reason why he’s called ‘Mr SALTEX’ and it’s why his induction into the Hall of Fame is a much-deserved tribute.