It is with great sadness that we report great Beccehamian clubman, Peter Mitchell, former player, captain, administrator and one of the founders of mini/youth rugby at Sparrow's Den has sadly died at home today (Tuesday 24 March 2020).

As you will see below from Peter's son's tribute, our great club brings people together, and we are so very fortunate to have and share many utterly fabulous times and memories with one another.

With official records identifying mini/youth rugby starting in 1974, it is no accident that 15 years after its formation in 1989, Stewart's 1975/6 cohort of players together became Kent Colts Champions, and to this day remain the only Beccs Colts side to have achieved Kent county champion status.

Peter's son, Stewart Mitchell's touching tribute here:
"Dad loved the rugby club. When he talked of his playing days he came alive, and although I never saw him play, Sparrow's Den is a fixture of my earliest memories. He was always happy there. And until very recently he met up with former players from a similar vintage for curry lunch every month. It really was a lifelong bond.
I remember my first mini rugby Sunday morning session not long after he'd helped set it up. Sunny, cold and brilliant. A few years later, he realised that we needed a section between mini rugby and seniors to retain young players and helped set juniors up too, with several other club stalwarts.
That foresight was one reason that I was able to play with at least three people - Tim Buckle, Duncan Binnie and Jason Bovington - all the way through from that first mini rugby morning through to colts and beyond.
And those three were among the first to offer condolences. That's one example of how, through the minis and juniors, he helped create an environment that fostered enduring friendships.
I'm sure there have been hundreds of long-lasting friendships born on those pitches on Sunday mornings ever since. That's quite a legacy".

Nick Brooks (Club Chair): "Sorry to learn this our thoughts are with the Mitchell family, Peter was a great Beccehamian"
Original minis cohort:
Tim Buckle: "Your dad had a major rugby influence on me back in the day when you and me were u7's together. Lovely bloke. Thoughts are with you and the family."
Duncan Binnie: "Sad news, one of my first coaches.....sincères condoléances....look after yourself fella"
Jason Bovington: "So sorry to hear this. As Tim and Dunc said a big influence to us when we were growing up. Always looked up to him and valued his advice. Thoughts are with you."