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Rugby community pays tribute to former Cheltenham North President Paul Balmer

All Areas > Sport > Rugby Union

Author: Dave Kingscott, Posted: Monday, 18th November 2024, 16:00

Picture courtesy of Mark Head Picture courtesy of Mark Head

Large parts of the rugby community came together on Saturday to pay tribute to former Cheltenham North president Paul Balmer.

A memorial game was held in his honour at the club after the former player, chairman, president and long-time North supporter passed away earlier this year.

The game was between a North 3rds/veterans side and a Cinderford 3rds/veterans side, with a smattering of players from Old Patesians, and fittingly it was a game that was won 41-7 by the North.

“He was liked by so many people,” said Nick Townsend, who has taken over from Balmer as North president. “He always had a smile on his face, he lived and breathed Cheltenham North.

“I don’t think I’ll be able to fill his boots, he’s a very hard act to follow.”

Townsend is a former club captain who played alongside Balmer back in the 1970s and he, like every other North supporter, enjoyed watching the North’s flagship team defeat long-time rival Old Patesians 32-31 in a Counties 2 Gloucestershire North clash which took place soon after the memorial game.

“Paul would have enjoyed that,” said Townsend. “It was a bit close but it was an absolutely fantastic day, somebody told me it was the first time in about 16 years that we’d beaten them.”

Other Images

 Picture courtesy of Mark Head
Picture courtesy of Mark Head
Picture courtesy of Mark Head
Picture courtesy of Mark Head
Picture courtesy of Chloe Williams
Picture courtesy of Chloe Williams

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