Old Alleynian Association President

Simon Brown OA (1969 - 1976)

Simon attended the College between 1969 and 1976. Living on the outskirts of Croydon and having passed the 11+ he was fortunate enough to be awarded places to both Whitgift and Trinity. Geographically they were significantly closer to the Brown household than Dulwich, ‘a school I had barely heard of and could certainly not place on a map’, but his mother had other ideas and was determined that Simon would be going to Dulwich.

A place at the College was indeed secured but the price, to Simon at least, was the end of a fledgling soccer career which was cut short on learning that Dulwich expected him to attend lessons on a Saturday morning, at the same time he would have been playing football for Croydon.

Yet when he arrived, Simon threw himself into the life of the College including joining the film and photography societies as well as the scouts and later the naval section of the CCF. He flourished as a sportsman, eventually representing the College 1st XI Cricket team for two years as opening bat, playing in the 2nd XV Rugby team and to his great delight played for the 1st XI  when soccer was ‘allowed’ for the first time in the mid 1970’s.

Despite a demanding City career in finance,  Simon has retained close ties throughout his life with the College and the OA community.

Having played many of the major sports while at the College, in later years Simon naturally gravitated towards the Old Alleynian sports clubs. From scoring a century on Founders Day, playing for the OA RFC and Golfing Society, to serving as Treasurer of the Alleynian Sailing Club for the past ten years, he believes that Old Alleynian sport is where lifelong friendships, and the opportunity to make new ones, sit side by side.

He has served as Chairman of Trustees, guardian of the OA Association’s capital assets, and a member of the OA Committee for seven years. Now, in his role as President, he is very much looking forward to meeting  Alleynians and Old Alleynians of all ages at the many events and functions that the Association hosts over the course of his year in office.