Benny Bell

We have learned with great sadness that one of the club’s stalwarts over many seasons, Benny Bell, has died.  Benny served our club in a variety of roles, as  player, sectary, treasurer, and international ticket officer.  Former club president Steve Uglow pays this tribute.  “Benny Bell made the wise decision to leave Maidstone and join Canterbury, playing his first match for the Pilgrims in 1976. He was a talented winger with a good turn of pace, playing regularly for the 1^st XV and the Pilgrims.   Age was beginning to catch up but Benny loved the game and was happy to play whether it was the Pilgrims or the Cardinals. In between scoring hatfulls of tries, he took pleasure in discussing the finer points of the laws of the game with the referee, often from the other side of the field. A change in direction came in the 3^rd XV under my captaincy – it was an international Saturday and an early morning kick-off at Merton Lane when I confessed to failing to find a scrum half and was begging for volunteers. Benny raised his hand, had a super game AND was too tired to criticise the ref. It was a win-win. By the end of the season, he was playing 1^st XV rugby. At the end of season club supper, Benny (in his late thirties) was given the ‘most improved’ player award.  When he stopped playing, Benny threw his heart and soul into the role of club secretary as well as appointing himself as resident thorn-in-the-side of the club chairman. He was a Cumbrian by birth, from Hartsop, in Patterdale. And it showed – nothing got by on-the-nod and Benny would always dig down and check and then check again. He was a man for detail. But it was always the good of Canterbury Rugby that was uppermost in his mind.  In recent seasons, he was always to be found on the touchline, staying involved in the changes in playing membership and coaching. In this, as in so many other areas, he was a man of many opinions, some of them (by the law of averages) right. He also had the disconcerting habit of remembering matches in the dim and distant past, blow by blow, scores, and scorers. Incidents that one had forgotten and wished to keep that way….”

Benny Bell was an important part of the club’s history. Whether arguing with him or just chewing the fat, he could put a smile on your face. We send our deepest condolences to Sally and all his family.

Benny’s funeral will be held at Barham Crematorium on Monday, March 20th at 2.40 pm. After the service, you are invited to celebrate Benny’s life at the rugby club from 3.30pm.

Family flowers only but donations if desired direct to British Lung Foundation or Canterbury Rugby Club. A collection will be made on the day as well.
Please email sallyb46@hotmail.com to let Sally ( daughter) know if you will be attending so that Saucy Flo’s can provide enough food for all!