It is with regret and sadness that the club announces the death of former club captain, Mike Pegler, who passed away last week.

Mike was of good rugby stock, his uncle Sam Tucker represented England from 1927-1931 as did his nephew, Mike Rafter from 1977-1981. The son of a police officer, Mike was educated at the Pro-Cathedral School and at St Brendan’s College, Bristol where he learned to play rugby and occasionally played for the 1st XV. However, it was at St Brendan’s Old Boys that he became committed to rugby and continued playing the game during three years of National Service. Mike served in the Gloucester Regiment and played for both his regiment and the Army South & Southwest XV, as well as being a reserve for the full Army side.

Having left the army Mike was invited to a Bristol trial and subsequently played for Bristol United in 1960-61 at prop having previously been a second row forward; he made his 1st team debut at Esher in November 1961. Mike’s main season of first team rugby was in 1963-64 when he played in 21 matches, this was also the season in which he was selected to play for Gloucestershire, playing in six County Championship games.

Mike’s last Bristol game was at Clifton at the end of November 1964 owing to work commitments which took him away from the area to the West Midlands and he subsequently joined DK’s 1st XV at the beginning of the 1965-66 season. The following season 1966-67 he was appointed captain of the 1st XV and retained the captaincy briefly for the next season. Unfortunately, part way through the 1967-68 season, it was with regret and disappointment that Mike had to leave the club, work commitments had intervened once again.
Having left the Midlands, Mike later played second team rugby for Sale and finished his rugby-playing days back at St Brendan’s on his return to Bristol. He joined the Bristol committee in 1972-73 and served for a decade, latterly as chairman of selectors. His son, David, played for the club in the early 1980s before going on to have a successful career with Wasps.

Missed by his former team-mates and friends, DK rugby club send their sincere condolences to Mike’s family at this sad time.

In appreciation of Mike’s contribution as a former member of the club and club captain there will be, at the earliest opportunity, a ‘one minute silence’ prior to kick-off at the first home match next season.

https://dkrugby.rfu.club/news/mike-pegler-rip