having started with Heath at its foundation in 1958. He remained closely attached to Heath in the 56 intervening years. A player first and foremost, David was a nuggety scrum half until a serious leg injury brought his playing career to an end in 1973. To sustain his love of rugby he instead turned to being an important Club administrator and organiser, Team Secretary for over 30 years ensuring that up to four Heath senior teams had competitive fixtures each week, with a spell as Club Chairman from 1980 to 1984. Apparently in the 1970s and 80s team selections were debated with Chris Williams and John Drake over a pint (or two) in that well known Clubhouse - the Gardeners Arms in Ardingly!

He twice won the award of Heath Clubman of the Year and more recently he was Chairman of the Supporters Club, a group of longstanding Heath statesmen who have seen the Club through many decades of development both on and off the pitch. David would do anything for Heath and was often to be found over the years cleaning and tidying the changing rooms. He was also a great rugby tourist and was heavily involved in organising the Club tours to Thouars in France and the return Thouars trips to Heath every other year that took place during the 1970s and 80s.

In his later years David became a most loyal Heath supporter who was proud to wear the Club blazer and, until ill health prevailed, was found on the touchline at every game, both home and away. He was always generous in spirit, constructive in his praise and eager to help the Club in any way he could, be that with fundraising or in a practical way. Using his skills as a farmer he helped maintain fencing and supervised pitch maintenance but was often found putting out the corner flags on match days and erecting the rugby posts at the start of a new season. Over the years there is little doubt that David was involved in everything and anything that went on at the Club.

David led from the front at the rugby club he loved and started the organisation of the annual Country Fair at Whiteman’s Green, an event he continued for 24 years and in so doing raised vital funds - originally for the Club to drain the first team pitch, but subsequently a significant source of income for Heath. This annual event went on from humble beginnings to attract over 10,000 visitors and become an annual focus for the Club and the local community. To ensure the Country Fair was a success David even trained the lambs and pigs to take part in the popular and entertaining animal races at his farm at Highbrook, where he also stored all the equipment. It was largely due to David’s contacts and reputation in the countryside community that the other local attractions such as the local hunt and steam engines agreed to take part - creating a regular presence that would become the hallmark of each Country Fair.
 
Mark Newey, current HHRFC Chairman said “Heath is more than just a Rugby Club to most members, it holds the history of a number of local families and is close to the heart of many people in the area. When we lose someone like David it makes us all reflect on how lucky we are to have people like him dedicated to the Club over so many years and how important Heath is to the Mid Sussex community. David will be sorely missed but we will work hard to continue to develop the Club in a way which would have made him very proud.”

David was able to get to lunch at the Club earlier this season but ill health prevented him watching a game. He was nonetheless proud to hear about the way the Heath senior squad is regrouping as a rugby force in Mid Sussex. “David was an amazing man who would do just about anything for the Club” is a comment that has been made in the last week by many of David’s contemporaries, fellow Heath ‘blazers’ and other Club members who knew him. His hard work, encouragement and the inspiration he has passed onto the Club, along with his memorable sense of humour, shall be his lasting legacy.

David leaves his wife Fiona, two sons who both also played at Heath, and two daughters. His funeral is taking place at Highbrook Church on Friday 12 December at 2pm and his life will be celebrated afterwards at the Sharpthorne Club where David was a member. All friends are welcome. Family flowers only, any donations to St Peter & St James Hospice.