Sophie and Chloe’s interview with Reg Dover

Reg Dover was born in Bethnal Green in This is one of the famous pubs from the area.

Reg’s first personal sporting memory was playing football and played a little bit of boxing. He remembers seeing England play Sweden, at Arsenal, he should have been at school, and England won November England 4 Sweden 2 [3- 1] Arsenal Stadium, Highbury, London (44,250) Sweden Mortensen (3), Lawton Nordahl, Gren (pen) HWHW His favourite football player was Stanley Matthews and he is a lifelong arsenal supporter. Stanley Matthews spent nineteen years with Stoke City playing for the Potters from 1932 to 1947, and again from 1961 to He helped Stoke to the Second Division title in 1932–1933 and 1962–63. In between his two spells at Stoke he spent fourteen years with Blackpool where he became an FA Cup winner in 1953 (known as the Matthews Final), after he was on the losing side in the 1948 and 1951 finals. Between 1937 and 1957 he won 54 caps for England, playing in the FIFA World Cup in 1950 and 1954, and winning nine British Home Championship titles.

Reg’s mum was friends with the Kray’s mum and Reg was named after Reggie Kray, the notorious criminal. Reg lived in a flat opposite to them.

Reg was in the army. One of the things he had to do was help in the 1953 Canvey flood. He rescued people from their houses in boats. Reg was a DJ for 15 years. He remembers going to Woolworth's and buying records from the top ten to play with some old ones by Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole.

Reg’s family Reg has a son, who was a comedian, and a daughter. He also has 2 grandchildren. His favourite dog, Ben the boxer, who lived for 13 years. Reg was happily married twice and more recently enjoys living in Sweetbriar.