Penrith Rugby Club has paid a fulsome tribute to their former captain Ryan Johnson who died suddenly last Thursday, aged just 34.
The website tribute comes at a time when over £52,000 has been raised from an online appeal which originally planned to raise £2,000 towards funeral costs.
The club said: “As a large proportion of you will know, we lost a fellow club member, player, husband, dad, son and brother on Thursday night during training.
“There is not a lot more that can be said on top of the numerous tributes that have already been posted on social media and by personal messages.
“The fact that these messages of condolence have come from not only Ryan’s clubmates but from others in the whole rugby family and other sports clubs and work colleagues demonstrate the affection and respect the community had for this big, gentle, giant of a man.
“Ryan George Johnson was born in Leicester moving to Cumbria aged two but will always be thought of as a true Cumbrian.
“Popularly known as Bungle after the big, cuddly bear in the children’s programme Rainbow, he was born to be a rugby player.
“Blessed not only with size, a blistering turn of pace, aggression and ball skills he worked his way though the Youth and Colts system to make his debut in the First team at the age of 17.
“He was captain of the club from 2013-15 and made 279 appearances, scoring 43 tries. In addition, he was a key member of the Cumbrian side that played Leicester in the final at Twickenham scoring an outstanding try from the halfway line.
“Ryan would always claim it was from the Cumbrian 22 metre line at least!
“Off the pitch he started work as an apprentice plumber eventually setting up his own successful business. Although he continued to turn out for the first team, and the seconds on occasion, he supplemented this with coaching the Penrith under-7/under-8 sides when his son Finn took up the oval ball.
“Ryan epitomised everything that is good about rugby; he was fun loving, knew how to respect and play the game and was an overall great clubman.
“Ryan unfortunately lost his brother Luke 17 years ago in a tragic road traffic accident and he leaves behind his wife Shiona and children Finn and Kenna.
“To them, his mum and dad, Fiona and Spike, and sisters Laura and Kate, the club extends their commiserations and sympathy.
“To his friends, teammates and colleagues we offer our support with the thoughts that although we have lost a giant of the game, we will never lose our memories of an outstanding personality.”
