He was a great rugby man and a strong voice for all of us who cherished the grassroots ethos of the game, but most of all he was the personification of his club, Old Dartfordians, where hard rugby and fun went hand in hand: he was a leading force in developing Darts’ league successes and as a community focus for rugby for all.

Those of us whose memories go back to the heydays of pre-league rugby will have warm memories of the close rivalry, ribaldry and mayhem that went on between our two clubs, with Dave at its heart; of the Worthy Es and the Rupert Cup. On occasions we just seemed to accidentally meet up on tour – Llanelli and Bath spring to mind. When we were the visitors Dave always made a fuss of us; always welcoming, cheery and generous, and he was a frequent visitor to Broad Walk, particularly when his Charlton Park friends were to be remembered.

Dave gave a lot of his boundless energy and drive to Dartfordians and he will leave a huge empty space both there and in the wider rugby community.

To us he was an old friend to be remembered fondly.

All our thoughts go to his family and loved ones.

Andy Potts