It’s with nice unhappiness that we announce the passing of Mike Newsom who handed away instantly at his residence on Friday thirteenth January 2023. Mike was a former Blackheath FC participant and an enthusiastic and tireless supporter of the Membership.

After attending Selhurst Grammar College, the place he captained the rugby XV, Mike joined the varsity’s Outdated Boys membership, Outdated Croydonians RFC (now Croydon RFC).

In 1961, on the age of 21, he moved to Blackheath FC as a supporting striker. On the time, within the Sixties, there was loads of front-row competitors for the unfastened head or tight strut stuntman positions. Mike, nevertheless, distinguished himself in Blackheath’s 1st and 2nd XV by having the ability to play on each side of the scrum.

Later in his rugby profession, Mike furthered his contribution to the Membership by captaining the Brigands (third XV, 1966-67) after which the Blades (4th XV, 1972-73), combining them with performing as Official Membership Employees. A eager rugby vacationer, Mike traveled with Blackheath to Berlin and Eire, adopted by a tour of america in 1968. A decade later, in April/Might 1978, he joined the Membership’s tour of the Cayman Islands. , the Bahamas and america.

After hanging up his boots, Mike grew to become the primary XV crew secretary and contact choose, taking up from Doc Kinsey. He was pressured to retire from these roles after the 1980-81 season attributable to his work commitments with Her Majesty’s Board of Customs and Excise.

In recognition of his companies to Blackheath, Mike was appointed vice-president of the membership. Throughout this era, Mike grew to become the Membership’s consultant on the Kent RFU Committee. He was additionally a long-time member of the Kent RFU Disciplinary Committee.

In 1995-96, as rugby union turned skilled, Mike grew to become Blackheath’s consultant within the Nationwide Affiliation of Golf equipment. He had the respect of being appointed Chairman of the Kent RFU, serving from the 2003-04 season to the 2006-07 season. Two years later, he grew to become chairman of Blackheath FC, which coincided with the Membership’s Sesquicentenary season of 2008-09. He served 4 years as president earlier than making his approach to Des Diamond in 2012-13.

Mike was at the moment a member of the Blackheath FC Govt Committee and Membership Committee, advising on issues referring to the Nationwide Rugby League and the RFU. He was additionally Chairman of the Nationwide Rugby League, London and South-East Division. The evening earlier than Mike died, he was enthusiastically chairing an internet rugby Zoom assembly.

Mike devoted over 60 years of loyal service to Blackheath FC. A tireless ambassador for the Membership, a real gentleman and an amazing good friend to many within the rugby neighborhood, he will probably be sorely missed.

Our ideas and condolences exit to his spouse Daphne and their household.

Mike’s funeral will happen on Friday 24 February at 3:15pm at Kent and Sussex Crematorium, Benhall Mill Rd, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN2 5JJ.

The funeral will probably be adopted by a reception at Tunbridge Wells Rugby Membership, St. Marks Recreation Floor, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5LS.

Mike’s stepdaughter, Jane, has requested that Membership members planning to attend the funeral inform Dr. Alan Thompson in order that he can provide Jane an estimate of the quantity of people that will probably be attending the reception. Her e-mail is [email protected]