Passing of Bev Clarke of Bishop’s Stortford
Death of Bev Clarke (Bishop’s Stortford)
Please see below the obituary for Bev Clarke of Bishop’s Stortford RFC as provided by the club. Herts RFU send their condolences to Bev’s family, friends and all at BSRFC.
This morning (28th Feb) we learnt that Bev Clarke, a giant in Stortfords history had passed away overnight aged 84.
Bevan, or as everyone knew him Bev joined the club in the late sixties as a late convert from the round ball game. Despite being in his thirties and never having played rugby seriously before, he quite remarkably was soon playing tight head prop for our 1st XV This was almost entirely due to his uncommon physical strength and fitness.
He and Bob Green were apparently a formidable comedy double act and kept the rest of the team royally entertained pre & post-match.
Bev was though notorious for always being late for team meets in advance of away games
He was a skilled entrepreneur and that leadership & drive were soon put to great use to move the club forward.
He became Club Chairman in 1973 a position he held for 7 years until 1979
He was then Club President for 4 seasons 1979- 83 before switching back to being Chairman for another 12 years from 1983 until 95
It was Bev who we have to thank for the construction of our existing clubhouse. Despite the previous timber frame and plaster board version having only been built in 1971 less than 15 years later Bev in his second stint as Chairman oversaw the building of the brick structure you see today.
He was also the father of Stortford’s most famous son, England & British & Irish Lions No.8 Ben
In more recent years he rarely missed a home league match when he met up with his huge number of friends at the club who will of course mourn his loss today.
But it is to his family, Wife Doris, Daughters Julie & Sarah, Son Ben and Grandchildren most notably Christian that we would like to extend our condolences.
Few can or will ever match Bevs service and contribution to the success of our club
Thanks Bev.
