Cornwall Rugby Football Union

A Tribute to Tom Prout

With the passing of Tom there is no question that Trelawny’s Army and rugby in Cornwall has lost one of its staunchest supporters.

Tom was a gentleman, a charming man, excellent company and a good friend. He was also very knowledgeable about rugby, especially Cornish rugby.

I came to know Tom through Trelawny’s Army and was immediately impressed with his willingness to help whenever he could. Tom was one of the “originals” on our committee being an area co-ordinator for the PL12, 13 ,17 & 22 (Saltash) area.

Before long Tom began to get involved with the Newsletter and the Website. Tom recorded events in the life of the Army and published them in his review as the scrapbook man. This soon became known as Tom Prout’s page and all manner of events were reported on from a stall at St. Columb’s Victoria Day, to Bowling events, match reports and historical facts such as Tom’s fascinating research on Bishop Trelawny.

In 1996 Tom took over from Will Wallis as Newsletter editor. Tom had managed to get publishing software and was keen to use it and give the newsletter a re-vamp. He certainly did that before too long the content had grown as had the format and in August 1997 the first newsletter entitled Black & Gold was published. It was at the time a marvellous (as it is to this day) publication and kept people informed about the county team and club rugby in Cornwall as well as all the club’s news. Later on Tom also took on the role of Membership Secretary for a short time.

Not content with all the work that he had Tom also took on the running of the Cornwall RFU website and transformed that into modern informative site, the envy of many other county unions in England! Over the years, the website has reached out to Cornish rugby fans all over the world. Indeed, we have regular visitors to our site from locations as far afield as Australia, Argentina and China, not to mention the more familiar places closer to home. The wide range of regular visitors to our site is a tribute to Tom's tireless work.

So as can be seen Tom gave the Army unstinting service over very many years in all manner of roles, which was rightfully recognised in 2003 when Tom was made the Army’s first ever “Life Member”. That same year Tom relinquished his role as editor of Black &Gold, although his input continued right up to our February 2010 edition with Tom’s Tuppenceworth view on the rugby world as interesting and forthright as ever.

However, it will be on the sidelines that we shall all miss Tom, the coaches passing through Plymouth will no longer stop for our dear friend, but Tom will be with us in spirit cheering like mad for his beloved Cornwall.

- Bill Hooper.

It goes without saying, that Tom's help and support over the years are hugely appreciated by both the CRFU and the cornish rugby community.  In memory of Tom, the CRFU has asked that the new website be dedicated to his memory.

He will be very sadly missed.