Charlie Stapleton, Coach 1984/85
John Billington [Captain 1973/74] advised the Club of the sad news of Charlie’s death at his brother’s home in New Zealand. He had returned home from Australia suffering from cancer late last year.
Charlie was invited as Coach to the Club in 1984 following contact through former 1st Team [ Huddersfield and YMCA] player Adrian Verkuylen. He had fellow travellers for that Season in Vern Cotter, Gary Jeffries and Greg Shipton. His positive approach to the management of the side with his colleagues gave the Club great experience.
The Club Captain at the time Peter Irwin has maintained a close friendship and visited Charlie last year. Ironically, Vern Cotter continued his rugby career in the Northern Hemisphere, playing and coaching in Italy and is currently preparing his team in France, Clermont Auvergne where he is the Coach for the 2013 Heineken Cup Final in Dublin next week.
Our condolences are passed to Charlie’s family, as we record the loss of a very impressive Rugby personality who enjoyed great respect in his time at Huddersfield.
