Tony Penfold passed away on Monday 25th May.
Charlton Park Rugby Club was in his heart, as he was in ours, and it is a real sadness that we can’t get together immediately to send him off properly. That will have to wait, but it will happen.
He fitted the Charlton Park mould perfectly. Underestimate him at your peril – he was, after all, a front row. Tony’s outward sociability, sense of fun and simple enjoyment of life was underpinned by a steely determination to prove himself. He bounced back; his background in wrestling gave him a powerful competitive instinct along with a sense of where weaknesses in others lay. So, although he had played little or no rugby when he arrived, he soon became a fixture in the first team.
He applied his personal ambitions to his club, which he saw as needing a kick up the backside. When he volunteered to take on the poisoned chalice of captaincy in 1985 there were many who still needed to be convinced, so he grabbed it by the horns and set about instilling his high standards into everyone else. They slowly discovered that behind the sociable exterior there was a man who never backed down, who was stubborn and driven and who worshipped the club. He became a captain through hard work and force of personality, not by being the best player, and he quickly convinced players to follow.
Tony captained Charlton Park for three years, from 1985 through to the end of the 1989 season and in that time he helped lay the foundations for the success that was to follow. His second year of captaincy was the first year of the leagues. Charlton Park just scrambled into Kent One – we expected to be in Kent Two. and he enforced ‘no train, no play’, gave total loyalty, expected it back and led us to promotion from the front. The key game was against Erith just after New Year, we trained during the holiday and won comfortably.
Fitness and planning, take the games seriously and party; that could be the club’s mission statement. Many have bitter memories of winter nights at Eaglesfield, the lung-bursting slog up Donaldson Road to the top of Shooters Hill, ultra-competitve 3-a-side touch and then several pints in The Bull. With Tony, training sessions, important planning meetings, and after-match debriefs could lose all their focus if the bar stayed open. But bets were taken, no matter how much he’d had – press ups, runs up Shooters Hill – there to be taken, by willpower alone.
In his third year we comfortably survived in South East Three. Job well done, Tony handed captaincy over and six years’ later we were in the National Leagues. Later he moved away and we only saw him at VP occasions; the last, I think, the 125th anniversary lunch. He still wanted to corner you and question whether the club was on the right track.
It is emotional to think of Tony and Jody picking his all-time CP team, as described by Pippa. He always emphasised the importance of selection and insisted on it taking place around a table on a Sunday morning, all captains fully briefed – determined to be fair. He was a thinker, a charmer, a worrier – hot-headed, strong, a really crap line-out thrower, an experimental cook who nearly poisoned next door’s dog, but above all he was intensely loyal. He stepped up to the plate, encouraged and nagged and drove us mad. What a lovely man. We are grateful.
Tony came to the club as a formidable wrestler, but soon showed his grit and determination on the Rugby Field. He came up to the mark as club captain, and showed the only way to do the job, was to lead from the front and he did. It was an honour to know him as a friend and to play alongside him in the Front Row. My deepest sympathies go out to Tony’s family, and to my brother Roger who was his closest friend.
Just before I left to go to an American university as an exchange lecturer in 1978 I asked Tony to let me take a.photo of him in the bar as I knew I would be asked to give presentations about England including sport, and Tony to me represented the true dedicated amateur and club man. All of us of that era shared that Corinthian spirit but I chose Tony as he had those values in two sports, wrestling and rugby..He had been good enough to be a top class wrestler and now was making his mark on the rugby field. His sunny face appeared in many presentations I subsequently made as the epitome of England’s dedicated amateur sportsman but who in addition was such a warm, supportive but hiighly principled individual and one who gave hundred percent to his team and his club. He will be much missed.
Tony epitomised what we all love about CPRFC – humour , openness, loyalty and competitiveness. He led by example and earned respect through his actions. I have fond memories of running with and against him up Donaldson hill and the delight he took in the contest . He was great fun.
I will remember him with a smile .
Tony changed the mentality of Charlton Park at the onset of league rugby. He made everyone fight for their first team place and everyone wanted to play for him. He changed my mindset completely as to why I played rugby.
He will be sadly missed.
Really sad and shocked to hear this news. Tony was such a lovely genuine person. Always made my wife Kay welcome who was often one of the few supporters on the touch line in the late 70’s early 80’s. Had a lovely catch up and reminisce with Tony at the Charlton Park 125th celebrations.
Thank you for your kind words
Charlton Park was a massive part of his life the friends he made were amazing Roger Foxon the whole family loves you
I will miss my brother
X
It is with deep sadness that we have to inform you that Tony died at 2.50am this morning Tuesday 26 May after being diagnosed with aggressive oesophageal cancer in February 2020.
Tony loved Charlton Park, the people and what it stands for. He would regularly tell stories of his memories as a player and member. In his last days he spent time with Jody compiling his ultimate Charlton Park team which has been posted on the website.
We would like to thank everyone for the kind words, love and support that have been received. Tony was particularly overwhelmed by those who got in contact with him when they found out how ill he was.
Unfortunately, Tony will not get the send off that he clearly deserves at this time. However, when the current situation has improved we look forward to welcoming family and friends to celebrate his life. Charlton Park Rugby Club will play an integral part of this, as will his local pub in Yorkley, The Forest of Dean.
The funeral will take place on Monday 8 June 1.30pm at the Forest of Dean Crematorium this will be live streamed.
Pippa, Jody and Lucy
Really sad news Tony is a great guy with a massive heart and I count him as a great friend. Loads of storys too many to recollect, but ton myself and Roger froxen on Saturday nights in the Lord Herbert…..a true Charlton park man deeds not words
Dire news about Tony, he epitomises the spirit of Charlton Park and I will always count myself lucky to know him. I played with him in some I some wonderfull games and count him as a friend, a. True Charlton Park man.
Dennis Attwood
Really saddened to hear this he always has time for people, a really genuine character, a true Charlton Park Man.