Former Leicester Tigers full-back Graham Pulfrey has died at the age of 79 after a short illness.
Grantham-born Pulfrey played his first senior rugby with Newark before joining Tigers in 1962, making his debut in a win over Plymouth Albion. He made a total of 173 first-team appearances for the club, running out for a final time in the Christmas fixture against the Barbarians in 1969.
Pulfrey also represented Notts Lincs and Derby, Leicestershire and Midland Counties (East), playing against South Africa in 1969.
The club was also saddened to learn of the death of John ‘Jack’ Allen, a former Lord Mayor of Leicester and a big Tigers supporter.
Allen was Lord Mayor in 2001/02 and followed Tigers home and away as a fan.
A feature of his term in office was his Spirit of Sport appeal which raised £70,000 for local grassroots sports clubs and projects.
His family said in a statement: "John was a loyal Tigers supporter and travelled to various European cities in support. His passion for all sport was shared by his son, Simon, who passed away suddenly in 2016 aged just 49 and by John's daughter, Sue, who says that her father's Spirit in Sport continues on.”
City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Jack was a true gent whose first concern was to represent the people in his ward and protect the interests of the city he loved.”
