With heavy hearts DCRFC have to report the sudden death of a great club supporter and personality. Craig Yetman, coach of the U14’s junior and U12’s mini squads, as well as a veteran of several Cherry Pickers tours, died unexpectedly in the early hours of February 16th 2010.

Craig had been a regular feature of both the Mini/Midi and Junior sections of the club for the past seven seasons. A local businessman in the motor retail trade, he had also generously sponsored both junior and senior club tours, and was a regular fixture in the rugby club bar on Sunday lunchtimes, and at least one night during the week, “to discuss tactics and team selections”…..although by all accounts he rarely did either! More usually he took the opportunity to offload dodgy cars onto unsuspecting club members (only joking……they all knew what they were getting into!!) whilst enjoying beers and the craic.

Not only will the junior and mini section miss Craig’s outstanding contribution on the field, our kids, parents, coaches and senior players will all miss his sense of humour and uplifting spirit off the field. He embodied everything that is great about Rugby Union, volunteering his time without question, and we and the club are much the poorer without him. He lived life to the full and was always a “glass half full sort of person”, who was a pleasure to be around.

Whilst we mourn Craig and the huge gap he will leave in our lives, our thoughts go to his wife Julie and their two boys Jack and Harry, at this difficult time.

In celebration of the great times we all had with Craig, there will be a social afternoon/evening organised next month in the top bar (Saturday 13th March) with an open invitation for all of the U14’s and U12’s players, coaches & parents, as well as all of the senior players and officials who knew him well. Further details will be displayed on club notice boards and on the website.

We were proud to have known you mate, and we already miss you terribly.

KB
Durham City R.F.C