News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
BEN VIDLER – RIP

BEN VIDLER – RIP

Newark - ADMIN ONLY RUFC - WEB SITE20 Dec 2014 - 18:30
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.newarkrugby.com/ne

A Sad Day

Players, members and visiting spectators today paid tribute to Ben Vidler, the former Newark first team prop and club vice president, who has died at the age of 49.

A minute’s silence was held before the first team league match against Ilkeston in memory of the hugely popular former player who played a big part in life at Kelham Road.

President Alan Swain described Ben as a ‘larger than life character’ who was an inspiration to many players and members at the club. The prop was a member of the club’s Three Counties Cup-winning team in 2008 and the team who won promotion from Midlands Three East North in 2003.

Alan said: “Ben will be remembered for his huge contribution whether on the pitch during his playing career and off the pitch as a member who was a former chairman of the bar committee and supporter of all things the club did.

“He was a larger than life character. Who will ever forget his after-match ‘court sessions’ and the fun and games they generated?

“He will be hugely missed. On behalf of all members and supporters of Newark RUFC I send our sympathy and love to wife Tracey and their three daughters, Sam, Penni and Tobey.

“This will be a hugely difficult time for all family and friends but everyone at Kelham Road will be here to support and help.”

Besides rugby, Ben was a popular landlord of The Wheatsheaf public house in the town before forging a successful teaching career.

When illness forced him to step down, Ben was assistant head and head of upper school at Giles Academy, Boston.

Ben did not hide away during his illness, having been diagnosed with throat cancer.

He was happy to have his story told in the Newark Advertiser and explained his thinking by saying: “I have no specific enlightenment to pass on but I would like to say a thank you to everybody involved in my life from the crazy dude on the train who tap danced when I was 18 and cheered me up, to almost every chance encounter I have had since.

“I am not a religious man but to use the word blessed is not too strong to describe how my family have enriched my life.”

Rob Wildman

Further reading