Luctonians to hold one minute silence in memory of Fist XV team manager Ali Waugh

Ali Waugh was at home last week when he suffered a pulmonary embolism.

He was a hugely influential figure at the club over the past 30 years, having played within the 1st XV since 1989.

A 10 year span in the premier team, that included much of the 44 game unbeaten run, was followed up with Ali coaching two junior sides all the way through the age groups before going on to coach the Colts age group for three years.

That included the club’s one and only North Midlands Cup success at that level. And during the past two seasons, Waugh took on the roles of 1st XV team manager and fourth official.

During his playing days, Waugh was a blindside flanker and a fearsome competitor who took few prisoners.

While off the pitch, he was a very considerate and caring bloke, who quietly went about his roles within the club extremely effectively, looking for no plaudits or praise in return.

"Whilst his occasional outbursts at referees were legendary, particularly during his stint coaching the Colts, in recent years Ali had grown into an excellent foil to the often excitable young bench of players and coaching staff involved within the 1st XV set up," said Luctonians operations manager Alex Smith.

"His presence will be sorely missed by our current playing group, because whilst nothing Ali did was with fanfair, the way he cared for and paid attention to individual players within the group often helped remove problems before they arose.

"He was well loved by the squad and I know I won’t be the only one to say I’ll hugely miss the regular chorus of Ali Waugh, Ali Waugh, Ali Ali Waugh to the tune of KC & The Sunshine Band’s Give It Up, booming out from the back of the bus on away journeys.

"Ali was an excellent Luctonian and an even better father and husband."

Ali leaves his wife Su and sons Jonny and Kieran, who play for Luctonians.

The Mortimer Park club host Huddersfield in National League 2 North, kick-off 2.15pm.