Officers and members have been saddened by the recent deaths of three of our current/past members.
John Leslie was a former player and captain of the 1st XV. A teacher at what was then Coleraine Academical Institution he was coach of the school side for many years. He was also a highly regarded senior referee and was honoured with the Presidency of the Ulster Society of Referees in 1986.
John was elected Chairman of Ballymena RFC for the year 1996/97, a role he carried out with great aplomb and pride.
John continued to be a regular, enthusiastic supporter at Eaton Park right up until the end of last season.
Peter Hadden joined Ballymena after leaving Queens University and having qualified as a Civil Engineer.
He was an extremely gifted back row forward who was club captain in 1970/71 and, after finishing as a player, became coach of the senior side in the late seventies.
In spite of his on field determination Peter had a lovely gentle nature and made friends with many of our members some of whom kept in contact with him right up to the time of his death.
Tommy Young was a Larne man who, after leaving Stranmillis College, played for Civil Service for a short time before joining Ballymena in the early seventies.
He was a wonderfully talented footballer who could play in a number of positions across the backline. Tommy was small in stature but he had a huge heart and was a very popular player with all involved in the Club at that time.
He was delightful company and, with his son, Stephen, was a regular visitor to Eaton Park.
All three of these men contributed significantly to Ballymena RFC both on and off the field.
On behalf of the Officers and members of the Club I would wish to pass on our condolences to the wives and families of John, Peter and Tommy.
R Cole (President BRFC)
