Club President Graham Crouch has added this tribute to former Trinity RFC Vice President JOHN PARISH who has recently died.

“I just thought I’d write a few words to provide some idea of the impact John made upon the Old Mids. John was a great and steadfast stalwart of the club, both during his playing days and after he retired from the game.

There are sufficient members who remember playing with John that a there has been a good deal of sadness at the news of his passing but also no shortage of fun and laughter as we have gone through our reminiscences of a good friend and colleague.

I first met John when I joined the club in 1973 as one of the first non-old boys welcomed into the newly ‘open’ club. John was, by this stage, probably entering the grizzled veteran stage of his career: but was a fixture in the 1st XV alongside Barry Ghent, Trevor Butterworth et al – a cohort easily strong enough to consign this particular aspiring back row forward to his rightful place in the second row for most of the duration. John was particularly known for the ferocity of his tackling – a fact that led him to be selected in the centre for a number of games and which caused John’s contemporary at Trinity School, Chris Great, to observe. “So he must have been able to catch as well.”

When John retired from playing he eased seamlessly into supporting the club in other ways. He was not one to make the grand, eye-catching gestures; but was shrewd enough to make his contributions where they could be most effective. He was a great supporter of our fledgling junior section and made financial contributions to help them establish themselves. He would be very pleased by the progress that the juniors are now making. Another telling contribution was to buy a washing machine and tumble drier – ending at a stroke the bitter weekly battle over who was to take the kit home to wash it. John was, rightly made a Vice President of the club – a role in which he served for many years.

John did not, however, confine himself to the rugby club and made telling contributions to the Association and was a leading light in the formation of Trinity Sanderstead Sports and Social Club.

The rugby club would want me to convey our deepest sympathies to John’s family and to assure them that John will be remembered fondly and with gratitude.”

Graham Crouch

President
Trinity Rugby Football Club