The club has been saddened to learn of the death of stalwart member Peter Thorne.
Peter (pictured above left at the club with Tommy Titshall, Andy Hougardy and Chris Lake - courtesy JEP) played rugby for JRFC after moving to the Island, but then became more involved in the club’s Youth Rugby section in the 1990s.
As Youth Rugby Co-ordinator, and assisted by his wife Sue and a number of other volunteers, Peter organised the first major overseas tour by the JRFC Youth Section when an under 15 squad travelled to Scotland in April 1997 for the International Festival of Youth Rugby, a tournament which attracted teams from all over the world and culminated in a final at Murrayfield.
The following year, another Jersey tour party, led by Peter, headed to Wales for another international festival.
After finishing his 15-a-side career, Peter carried on playing for the Cymru Jersey touch rugby team for several years. He was presented with the Barry Coulson Award in 1996/97 for his contribution to JRFC, and remained an enthusiastic supporter of the Reds and regular face on the ‘Old Farts’ table at pre-match lunches.
Peter worked for the States of Jersey Planning Department for almost three decades, latterly holding the role of Director of Planning prior to his retirement in 2011.
Everyone at Jersey Reds wishes to extend their condolences to Sue Thorne, the couple’s sons Matt and Alun, and to Peter’s wider family.
Tour programmes for the 1997 and 1998 Youth tours, and the 1997 squad, with Peter pictured (top left). Thanks to Mal Morgan
