John Butler, a former Cumbria rugby union forward and later coach, has died at the age of 69.
He was among a clutch of players who moved to the Gosforth club in the North East during the late 1970s and he was always considered unfortunate not to gain a full England cap.
While playing in a final England trial he suffered a back injury which curtailed, and eventually ended his rugby career.
But previously he did have the pleasure of playing for England B and went on England’s Far East tour while also playing for the Barbarians.
He then coached Cumbria for three seasons and spent his spare time watching the game, particularly when his sons were playing.
John and his wife Lynn had moved early last year to live nearer their son David and daughter Anna who lived with their families in the London area.
Neil McDowell, a former team-mate with Gosforth and Cumbria, said: “He was a really athletic second row forward, at a time when there weren’t many of that type about.
“He was considered very unlucky not to win a full England cap. These days he would have earned caps for playing on the tour to the Far East.
“Although he did coach Cumbria for a while he was a real family man and that was what he concentrated on after he finished playing.
“David was a strong winger who ended up playing at a decent level down south for Barnes and Richard played at Cockermouth for a while.
”Richard now lives in Australia with his family so when John was diagnosed with Parkinson’s he and his wife Lynn decided to move south to be nearer David, and also their daughter Anna who lives in London.
“That was in February last year and in January we organised a get-together for lads he had played with at Gosforth which I know he really enjoyed.”
Another ex-team-mate Mark Richardson, the former Cumbria captain who also moved to play for Gosforth, said: “He was a very good all round sportsman. He played as a goalkeeper and was at Carlisle United for a little while and he was a useful cricketer as well.
“He was from Gosforth (Cumbria) and started playing rugby for Egremont. I remember the first time I saw him play I thought he was a bit special.”
Brian Mitchelhill, the Cumbria RU President added: “John was one of the greats of Cumbria rugby union. I remember him playing for Egremont and Cumbria, as well as Gosforth with great distinction.
“I can also recall him packing down in the second row with Bill Beaumont for the North and also in an England trial.
“The thoughts of Cumbria RU are with his family and friends at this difficult time and we send our deepest condolences.”
David Morton, a long-serving official of the Carlisle club, added: “Setting aside his undoubted rugby prowess John was a great bloke with great inter-personal skills who got on with everyone. It’s a great loss and condolences to his family.”
