ThompsonDANBY1926-2022 Tom Danby, former England rugby union international and British Lion in rugby league died on 26th December at the age of 96. Born into a quarryman's family in Trimdon, County Durham, he won a scholarship to Barnard Castle School and his life changed when he was picked for the 1st XV - as a 13 year old! It was the start of a wonderful sporting path. First, Durham City RFC and then, in his National Service years, his talent caught the eye of his Brigade Commander who took him to the Harlequins and the Army team. He also caught the attention of the press who championed his cause to win an International cap for England. In 1949 he became one of the first rugby union players to transfer to rugby league. He played for Salford RLFC and, in his first full year of rugby league, 1950, he was selected for the British Lions squad to travel to Australia. He won his place in the starting Test line-up and became the leading try scorer on the tour. He turned down the opportunity to go to Leeds RLFC for a then, record signing to follow his teaching career and have a family. He spent the last 28 years of his working life as a schoolmaster and Head of Rugby at Shebbear College in North Devon before moving to Ticehurst in East Sussex in 1995 where he became an honorary life member at Dale Hill Golf Club and a regular for coffee at The Greedy Goat in Ticehurst and Merriments Garden Centre near Hurst Green. His wife Penny, died in 2012 and he leaves a loving family including two great granddaughters. Tom inspired hundreds of young men in their sporting careers but, perhaps more important, he embodied the true values of the sports he loved - he was a man of honour and integrity. He was a British Lion, but more than that, he was a lion of a man and the world is a better place for him being here and a sadder place for his passing.
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