We are extremely sad to report the death of the ultimate rugby club volunteer, Peter Conway.
A host of people help Fylde RFC through their volunteering and the Club deeply appreciates their contribution even if, from time to time, it might appear to take this for granted. That’s so often the way of the world. When the Club loses a crucial volunteer it’s a matter of sadness mixed with thanks for all their efforts, often over many years. Such was the situation we faced with the retirement of Peter in 2023 and his death accentuates this loss.
Peter first became involved with the Club when his son Jodie joined the Mini-Juniors in 1994. Although a busy Blackpool hotelier (he ran the Ocean Hotel on the Sea Front), he became MJ Chairman a few years later and this was followed up by getting involved in the Club’s hospitality arrangements, ultimately as House Chairman. He was often seen in the kitchen of the old Clubhouse with his sleeves up in full cooking mode! He was a member of the General Committee as a result of these roles and played his part in the Club’s development.
Peter became friendly with another legendary volunteer, Stewart Brown, who served for 40 years or more as Press Officer, (attending with a gap of one Saturday!), some 1000 successive home and away games. As Stewart’s health began to deteriorate, Peter, along with another Club stalwart, current matchday 4th Official Ian Cosh, helped Stewart with domestic and other assistance.
17 years ago Peter stepped up to assist the 1st XV duties including attending every home and away game. He also attended training session on Tuesdays & Thursdays.
Peter was a lively and amusing character with a fine line in banter. Woebegone any player who didn’t clean up after himself and who didn’t contribute to the team ethics – no one was spared! That also applies to the coaches, support staff and replacements for opposing teams on match days with whom he often exchanged pleasantries near the
technical area and main stand! The Club will not be the same without Peter.
Chairman of Rugby Mark Nelson said: “Peter was an ever present for generations of rugby players at Fylde, from the mini juniors right up to the 1st XV. He worked very hard behind the scenes and many projects and jobs that just appeared to happen only happened because of Peter’s dedication to the club. He epitomised the word “Clubman”. I can’t think of any area of club life that he didn’t contribute to in a wholehearted way.
“He loved going on away trips with the lads and made sure everything was right for the team in the journey and before, during and after the match. He was always first on the bus sorting things out and last off making sure everything was as it should be. He was a very popular character with the players and management as well as serving on the General Committee. It was a testament to his love of the club that he kept coming along to help out even when he was struggling with his health. There will rightly be many tributes to Peter from different areas of club life and this shows how ingrained in the fabric of the Woodlands he was.
“People like Peter are few and far between and we have lost a true gentleman of Fylde and most of all a great friend. The thoughts of everyone at the Woodlands are with Bev and the family at this saddest of times.”
