Michael Dolby (25 Sep 1941 - 4 Dec 2016)

We were sad to learn ,today, about Mike's passing last year.
Although we had not seen him for several years we remember his smiling, lively personality with affection.
Our sincere condolences to Margaret and family.
Kath and Malcolm Chambers.

Julie... i'm very sad to see this news.. really lovely to see the Moseley cricket club picture .
sarah jakeman

Mike will always hold a special place in our hearts. He has played an integral part in Adina & Ashleigh's athletics from the track to Arden Sunday sessions and going beyond that to support me personally. Helping with things beyond a coaches duties a friend indeed. Your work lives on in so many people and we was truly blessed to have been part of your life. Thanks for being you Mike xxx

It was with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Mike. Having moved away from Solihull in 2007 I unfortunately lost touch.
I remember fondly my time working with Mike and his High Jump Development Group at Lode Heath School. I initially got involved with the group as my daughter had been identified as having potential at primary school. As she moved on to other things Mike encouraged me to stay on with the group and develop my own crouching skills. He also encouraged me to become UKA Coach Tutor.
It was great to witness his enthusiasm and commitment for the sport he loved and to the numerous young athletes in his care over the years.
My thoughts are with Margaret and the girls.
You will be sadly missed Mike.
God bless you.

I feel so incredibly blessed to have known Mike as a coach and father figure throughout my teens. All of my happiest memories are because of him. And looking around at the celebration of his life today I know there are so very many people for whom that is also true! There are so many moments I will always treasure, and so very many giggles to recall. I was hardly the most talented of the group shall we say... I always got the "what the? What the?!" and never the "GOOD." Much more the "pathetique" than the "fantastique"... and got sent to the central isolation stretch mat every Sunday for laughing too much... and yet Mike never ever gave up on me. He would drive me absolutely everywhere, sorted me out with spikes, orthotics, tshirts... as well as broken bits of high jump bars which I was meant to nail on my bedroom room at various heights and visualise jumping over. He wrote letters to my mum explaining that the dream was for me to go to the olympics 2012. ( I watched it on TV at least!) The only times I ever bunked off school were with Mike to watch everyone at the English schools, the tyres screeching as he whisked me off from the bus stop round the back of Touchwood car park in Solihull... Such an incredible man whose face always beamed whenever he spoke to me about his dear family, his travels with Margaret in particular, and all those he had trained before and after me. Mike, you made a very difficult time in my life extremely happy, and I will never forget you. Still doing my stretches! And you better not be waiting up there with one of those weight sledges with my name on it !!!! Or a mariachi band!!! With all my fondest love, Clare xxx

Linda John Luke and Kevin Crawley will be attending the funeral

Hello Mike,
There are just 2 matters that I would like you to know.

1) Your dedication to Luke, Sonia and Kevin was nothing less than remarkable. The hours spent training them was many and your enthusiasm never faltered. What an absolute gem you are.
THANK YOU

2) Our holiday to Santiago Chile to see Luke jump was eventful from the beginning. You want forget the start.
Margaret broke her tooth the night before and bearing in mind we were leaving Solihull at 9am in order to get to Heathrow for 12 noon, you turned up on our door step at 7.30 to explain the situation. By 8.30 Linda has Margaret in the chair doing a repair job on her tooth. We left Solihull more like 10.30 ish and flew down the M1 with turbo engines. At Heathrow we went through customs at a gallop and was the last to board the plane as it was heading down the run way. It was a close shave.
We had a marvellous holiday - the Dolby's and the Crawley's and got on famously well.
Then we had the episode in the hotel when I ran into trouble with the WC flush. I had to head to reception - with you Margaret and Linda looking on - to explain to non speaking English, the motions or sitting on the loo and trying to 'flush'. I was engrossed with the reception staff who looked at me as tho I was Manuel from Fawlty Towers. I had knees bent and arm actions, completely engrossed in my quest, not realising Mike in particular was in tears, howling in laughter. The memory has never failed.

God bless you Mike.


Love John and Linda Crawley

My heartfelt condolences to Margaret, Louise and Julie on Mike's passing. I'll never forget the excitement I felt on receiving my first invitation to training, and the pride with which I wore my first Solihull High Jump Group t-shirt. Mike introduced me to a sport that came to play such a big role in my life - and did so with knowledge, discipline, humour and generosity. I remember well the mile-long Sunday runs, the eclectic skipping music, the aerobics and the relaxation tapes. I also remember Mike and Margaret's kindness in picking me up from the train station and welcoming me into their home so I could travel from Cardiff to attend Wednesday evening weight training. I'll be thinking of you all on Wednesday and raising a glass in Mike's memory.
Thank you Mike and rest in peace X