Holbrook Rugby Club pay tribute to salt-of-the-earth Paul

Paul died on March 27, just over two weeks short of his 44th birthday.

Paul was a larger than life character, incredibly active supporter and massively popular team-mate at Holbrook rugby for more than 14 years. He arrived as a new player at Holbrook in 2006 and played his first game for the club on the wing.

He soon settled into his preferred positions of fly-half or centre, proving a committed, tenacious and skilful player who always played with total commitment.

He took a very active role in the running of the club particularly at events to promote the club and support the recruitment new players. In more recent years he was the club treasurer.

He took responsibility for the vice-president’s section at the club, organising twice yearly VP lunches.

Paul also instigated the end of season All Stars game in which a side of former and retired Holbrook players took on the first team – a tradition that the club will continue in Paul’s honour.

Paul always had a smile on his face and was first to volunteer to help with what needed doing, a clubman.

Outside of rugby, Paul was a Met Police officer, rising to the rank of inspector and was often stationed at Croydon.

He completed a sponsored ride from John O’Groats to Lands End for a diabetes charity.

At one time he combined cycling and police work while assigned to a special taskforce tackling organised crime behind bicycle thefts.

He helped arrest prolific bike thieves but also reunited several youngsters with their treasured bicycles.

Club secretary Andrew Saunders said: “People do not come any better than Paul, he is deeply missed but leaves so many happy memories.

“We bonded as good friends on the Holbrook RFC tour to the Barcelona 7s in 2008, where Paul and I established our tour tradition of a few late beers and a cheeky kebab, after ending up in a lock-in at tiny bar in back street of Barcelona.

“When it was time to go, the bar owner raised the metal shutter part-way to let us out,

“Paul ducked under no problem but I managed to bang my sunburned forehead leaving Paul in fits of laughter – just one of so many great times with Paul.” The thoughts and prayers of Holbrook go out to his wife Laura and daughters Holly and Annabelle.