This week Rugby, the game, must take a back seat in this column as we remember RUGBY, The Man, in the form of our President for the past five years Peter Jones who passed away after a long fight with Cancer in the early hours of last Tuesday.

Peter has been a feature at Macclesfield Rugby Club since he joined as a 16 year old in 1957 when the club played at their old London Road ground and since then has featured as a player in all of the teams from 1^st to Stags until he finished playing in the late 1990’s after which he became involved in the running of the club as Co-ordinator of Social Rugby and then Chairman of Playing until he took on the mantle of President in 2006, an office he served with distinction until his sad passing.

It will not be a surprise to tell you that Peter was a founder member of the 500 Club within Priory Park for those players who have played 500 games for the clubs teams over the years.

The Blue of Macclesfield ran in his veins and along with his wife, Dot, he has furthered the cause of the club following its successful league campaigns in recent years at clubs throughout the land.  Their interest in Rugby clearly rubbed off on the family as daughter Elaine is a regular feature working the bar at weekends and son Rick has captained the 1^st XV and is present skipper of the successful Lions side.

Peter’s funeral takes place this afternoon, Wednesday 2 March, at St Michaels Church at 2.00 pm followed by a private family Cremation and thereafter all are invited to the club to celebrate a great life.  Club ties please.  Any donations to East Cheshire Hospice will be greatly appreciated for the care that they gave to Pete.

Our thoughts are with all of his extended family and friends at this difficult time but they can rest assured that he has created at Macclesfield, with the support of his family, the very essence of the ‘Spirit of Rugby’.   His like pass this way but rarely and he will be missed by us all both on and off the field now that the final whistle has sounded.   RIP.

Clubman.

Games for Saturday:

1^st v. Launceston – League – Away – 2.30.pm.

2^nd v. Lymm – Conference A – Home

3^rd v. West Park St Helens – League – Away

4^th v. Didsbury Toc H – league – Home