York RUFC was Don’s True Home but he loved Rugby in all its forms, something he inherited from his father.

Many years ago a group of us made our annual pilgrimage to Wembley, Rugby League Challenge Cup Final, and on the 

preceding Friday it was the Rugby Union Sevens Tournament,  Don came along as he did from time to time

I shared a room with him and two others in what Don described as ‘interesting digs’ located in the ‘posh’ part of

Goldhawk Road!!?………………… 

I vividly recall the fun of the trip, a quietly threatening Irish landlord, with at least 4 huge ‘minders’,  trying to acquire Don’s Unicorn jumper

The next day a free lunch and a few drinks at his pub was provided to all of us

Don later took a tour to play against the pub invitation team.

Don’t know if the Irishman ever got a jumper?

But in particular I remember travelling on the tube back to the digs when Don serenaded the carriage with a medley

of Rugby songs from his vast repetoire and especially to the refrain of ‘These Foolish Things Remind Me of You’ – all the verses – we provided harmonious support??

The entire carriage stood as one and rapturously applauded him              He graciously accepted the accolade

Wonderful memories      A brilliant landlord     But above all a Lovely Lovely Man

James.my sincere condolences   Graham Smith