Ex-captain John Elders dies aged 84

Leicester Tigers are saddened to learn of the death of former club captain John Elders, aged 84.Born in Middlesbrough, Elders emerged as a talented centre and joined Tigers from Loughborough Colleges, making his club debut in a victory over Bedford in September 1953.   A teacher at South Wigston and Alderman Newton’s schools, he went on to make a total of 144 appearances, scoring 38 tries for Tigers, was club captain 1955-57 and played in an England trial in 1956.   Elders won county honours with Leicestershire and Northumberland, and played for the Midlands against New Zealand in 1953/54 and for North-East Counties against Australia four years later.   He left Leicester in December 1958 to teach at Newcastle’s Royal Grammar School and played his club rugby at Northern.   Elders became England coach for two years from 1972, enjoying away wins over South Africa and New Zealand, before becoming a selector and coach of England Schools.   In 1981, he emigrated to Australia but returned to live in the North-East in 1990. Leicester Tigers send sincerest condolences to family and friends.