Everyone at Rosslyn Park is devastated at the news that Andy Ripley has finally lost his brave battle against cancer just four weeks after receiving his OBE for services to sport. Andy was a rugby legend; a superstar before the era of superstars – and not just because he famously won the TV series of that name.

He truly was a gifted sportsman: an athlete of international standard, holder of world records for static rowing and a contender for a place in the Varsity Boat Race eight well into his fifties. But it was on the rugby field that he reached truly international fame. His very athleticism made him a player in advance of his time: a forward who could out-run the backs. In an era where being a “character” was not universally approved of, his iconoclastic image as a motorbike-riding, rugby-playing hippy ensured his skills were noticed.

Rosslyn Park Chairman, John Adair, said, “Andy was Park’s greatest player in the post-war era, probably its greatest ever. Others will doubtless eulogise about his International career: but as a Club man he was also without equal. An exemplary sportsman, even at the height of his stardom there was no trace of vanity or aloofness about Andy. He was one of the lads but also an inspirational skipper who people wanted to play for.

“When his playing days came to an end, he never lost interest in the Club, serving as President in the early 90s. Even when fighting cancer nothing was ever too much trouble for Andy if it would help the Club. Andy loved Rosslyn Park and everyone at Rosslyn Park loved him. Rugby Union has lost a legend; we at Rosslyn Park have lost a dear, dear friend.

“The whole Club extends our deepest sympathies to the family he leaves behind”.