On Sunday 12th May Tim Carder sadly announced the passing of David following a long illness. In recognition of such a loyal KC's supporter it felt only fitting that on the eve of his final journey, KC club members Tim Carder & Richard Tuckwood provide an insight in to one of the clubs most loyal, well-respected and much loved members.

Tim Carder

I have only known David for around 15 of his 55 years associated with both Kidderminster and the now Kidderminster Carolians rugby clubs.

For virtually all of this time though, two individuals (there will be more) have been ever present; Olly Johnson and Jim Bennett. Olly can remember him back to 1958 and Jim 1960.

David was a popular landlord in Kidderminster and in the early 1970s ran the Green Man which was known as a very lively pub and not for the faint hearted. The pub had its own rugby team and played the Black Boy in a match called the "Piss Pot" challenge. David was one of the "old school" and very much a traditionalist and therefore to play in his team you had to drink in the pub unlike the Black Boy who apparently would take anyone!

He was a tremendous tourist and often talked of famous tours particularly Southend where Kidderminster didn’t win the rugby but won the drinking as beers were chalked up against each club as they were bought. Other eventful tours included a trip to Caan where an enforced overnight stay in the docks in France saw the dock bar run out of Calvados and the touring party run out of money before the tour had properly started!!

He was a veteran of hundreds of Internationals and the highlight of those would have been watching England win the World Cup in Australia despite the best efforts of his most dreaded South African referee Andre Watson!

David will always be remembered for his long association with rugby in Kidderminster, his passion for our great game and KC’s. His amusing stories and true friendship have crossed the generations and will be fondly remembered by many.

Richard Tuckwood

I was extremely saddened to learn about David.

As others have said, he was a great supporter of rugby in Kidderminster and throughout the surrounding area. He was also a great England supporter too and a real and traditional 'Englishman' too. He was a great and a large character. He was full of, and always willing to share very entertaining anecdotes too.

I was pleased and proud to be considered 'real' enough, by David, to allow me to play for the Green Man in a few of the early Green Man v Black Boy local derbies against the 'posh boys' from Bewdley such as Tom Little, Roy Dursley, John Leavesley, the Wilson Brothers and the Kedward Brothers too!

Although and funnily enough David was the sort of man who did not judge anyone by their wealth, their background or their current station in life but merely by the (or at least his assessment of the) quality of their character - which is why he had so many friends throughout the rugby world and also across the area and beyond!

David encouraged and promoted rugby throughout the area and was a great supporter of the game, the local club/s (KCRFC and its predecessors) and also many local players - myself and Charlie Smith especially. (I well remember a roar of support for old Kidder Players Charlie Smith and myself, whilst playing for Moseley against Sale in the John Player Cup Semi-Final up in Manchester thanks to a small group of Kidderminster Supporters including Oliver Johnson, Roy Morris and, of course, David Wright! Just a small group of Kidderminster Supporters - probably no more than 10 in number - and who for a while drowned out several hundred, possibly even thousands of local Sale supporters. Due in no small part to this positive encouragement and support we then went on to win!

(I also understand, again due in no small part to the Kidderminster Supporters Sale RFC's Beer sales went through the roof that weekend too!!)

He will certainly be missed by many friends and KCRFC Members and both my and Chris' sincere condolences also go to all of David's family, including of course both Pat and Colin.

Richard (as David always called me! or just Tuck as most others know me!)

The funeral service will take place at 11am on Friday 31st May at the Wyre Forest Crematorium and Cemetary on Minster Road, DY13 8AS (between Kidderminster & Stourport), followed by burial at the old Kidderminster Cemetary, Park Lane.

Afterwards everyone is invited to join the family at Kidderminster Carolians Rugby Club, to celebrate David's life and hopefully enjoy a beer (or two) and share some stories and memories of a lifetime club stalwart.