Eastern Counties Rugby Union

Dickie Jeeps CBE, one of the greatest sportsmen ever to come from the Eastern Counties, died on Saturday 8 October after a long illness.

Dickie played his rugby at Cambridge RUFC before moving on to Northampton and from there he represented England, 13 times as captain, and the British Lions. He remains the most capped Lions scrum-half with 13 games and second in the all-time list with only Willie-John McBride ahead of him. He never forgot his rugby roots and went back to play for Cambridge after finishing at Northampton.

He was President of Eastern Counties in 1975/76 and the following season served as President of the Rugby Football Union. Jeeps was also chairman of the Sports Council.

He loved rugby and loved life and was renowned for his mischievous sense of humour. He was a regular at Twickenham until failing health meant that he was no longer able to watch his beloved England.

In 2010 Cambridge Rugby Club held a testimonial dinner in Jeeps’ honour where many former international came to say hello and where he clearly relished being the centre of attention.

Dickie Jeep’s funeral will be on Friday 28 October at 12 noon at the Holy Trinity Church, Bottisham and afterwards at Newmarket Golf Club.

Picture courtesy of Chris Fell