“I am just mailing to let you know that sadly Peter passed away in the early hours of Sunday 23rd Feb. He had been in hospital since 12th Feb with complications arising from his cancer.

I’m not sure how many of Peter’s era are still active in Hertford Rugby Club, but I would be really grateful if you could pass on this news to anyone who knew him.

When I met him in the early 80’s the club played a huge part in his life and he got a tremendous amount of pleasure from both the sport - playing and coaching- and the social side of the club.

You may also be pleased to know that the carol concert he arranged for the cancer unit before Christmas was a great success- despite being a technophobe he made the hospital’s Facebook page!

With best regards

Margaret Reynolds”

Peter will be remembered by those who played throughout the 80 as one of that rare breed, an amiable Welshman, at least whilst he wasn’t pushing you to the limit during a fitness session.

I have always thought that a big part of the clubs success throughout the early and mid 80’s was due to the teams fitness level and Peter was in no small part one of the architects of that. A PE teacher at Chauncey School by day he would morph into a bellowing tyrant for a couple of hours one or two evening a week either at the club or at Richard Hale school gym and the roads and hills of Hertford and Ware.

He was an exceptional fitness coach who applied a balanced mix of encouragement and humour together with what these days would probably be called bullying and racism (or Banter to us in those days) to make sessions enjoyable and entertaining.

Whether it was sprinting up the spiral ramps of Gascoigne Way car park or shuttle runs, rope climbing and endless burpees in the school gym, he made the sessions enjoyable and rewarding.

Although not a frequent visitor back to Hoe Lane in recent years it was great to see him at the Cup reunion lunch a couple of years ago and share a few hours of abuse and man hugs.

So rest well dear friend, we owe you.

Ged Murphy (or “The Plastic Paddy” to you Peter)

Arrangements will be published when known and with the permission of his family.