Birkenhead Park RFC

It is with great sadness that the club have to report the passing of Past Captain Dave Buttery who has died after a courageous battle against illness.

 

Dave had an illustrious career at Park including being part of the victorious County Championship winning Staffordshire team in 1970 when they defeated Gloucestershire to win their only title to date. Dave then went on to be our centenary skipper in the 1971/72 season. In those days Park were of course still one of the leading sides in the country with a pack feared throughout the land.

 

Dave had a huge influence on this team as a rugged prop forward and leader. With colleagues of the calibre of hooker Allan Davies, flankers Richard Haslehurst and Dave Robinson, to name but a few, this was a great Park side.

 

Dave was the original thinking man’s prop and he soon progressed into coaching after hanging up his boots. As well as coaching at Park he went on to LSH and the Cheshire County XV. Later he coached at Anselmians where his son Ian also played. He gave great service in a variety of roles at Anselmians right up to the present including being a Vice President.

 

Dave continued to support Park being a member of the Park Seniors Group and he enjoyed attending the reunion lunches and other gatherings particularly with his former colleagues Allan Davies, Richie Haslehurst, John Humphreys, Rod Whalley, Hugh Crossley and many others. Only recently did he generously donate towards a new video camera to assist the coaches with match and player analysis, as a forward thinking coach this is something Dave would have approved of !

 

Over his long association with Park he touched and influenced the lives of many generations of Park players wether as a teacher at Park High School, Rugby captain or colleague, coach or friend in the bar. His former team mate John Humphreys has sent the following heartfelt message from South Wales which I feel sums up Dave and what he meant to so many people : “ I joined Park during their centenary year when Dave was an inspiring and totally committed captain. He gave absolutely everything on the pitch and was the most supportive and wonderful man. I became close friends with Dave and his wonderful wife Lizzie and I have a great deal to thank them for. It was great to spend time with Dave and other former players last March and I send my sincere condolences to Lizzie and to Dave’s loving family.” And from another Welshman Allan Davies “A very sad day. Lost my mate and my tight head. Great bloke and I will not forget the battles we had against some of the best front rows in the country. An inspiration to all of us players of that era. Adios amigo.”

 

Dave will be greatly missed but so well remembered by so many people. Our thoughts are with Lizzie, the Buttery family and his many friends.

 

Thanks for everything Dave.