Family tributes after death of rugby man

Terry Hurst

A FAMILY paid tribute to a dedicated family man and rugby fanatic from Oldham at an inquest held yesterday.

Terry Hurst (75), who had suffered from Parkinson's Disease, was found by his wife, Edna, collapsed at the bottom of the stairs on the morning of October 29 last year at his home.

The inquest heard that Terry, who as a result of Parkinson's Disease was prone to falls and had limited sight, showed injuries that would suggest he had fallen down stairs, landed on his front and suffered postural asphyxia, when a person's position prevents them from breathing adequately.

The evidence was unable to show exactly how Terry had come to be at the bottom of the stairs and so Coroner Julie Robertson gave a narrative conclusion.

She said: "I am satisfied that death was caused by postural asphyxiation."

Edna spoke about how her husband battled against Parkinson's, and added: "He did very well. Nobody knew for a number of years that he had Parkinson's.

"He got frustrated because he was such an active man.

"He was a clever man, a very brainy man, who used to help the grandchildren with their homework."

Terry's brother Brian Hurst said he would be missed.

He added: "He effectively had two families. He had his family here and his family at the rugby club."

Terry had a massive influence at Manor Park over six decades where he contributed to the fortunes of Oldham RUFC as a player and official.

He played first-team rugby and was A team captain during the 1962-63 season.

Unfortunately his playing career was cut short by an injury at the age of 23 but he contributed off the field by immediately joining the club's committee which he served for more than 40 years.

When Terry retired from the committee he continued many of his previous roles, remaining an active member of the club, and was made an honorary member - one of the five to be recognised in such a way during more than 100 years of the club's existence.

Towards the end of the 1967-68 he received the Red Tie Award for club worker of the year and in 1977 Terry set up the mini-rugby section, the forerunner of today's junior section.

This provided a pipeline of local talent to clubs and also helped nurture rugby league stars who went on to play for Great Britain, including Terry Flanagan, Steve Molloy, Martin Hall and Richard Russell.

Jason Leonard and Martin Johnson, former England RU captain, were two of Terry's friends.