Rugby club veteran dies aged 79

Don Peacock, who was also a retired director of engineering and town planning for Walsall Council, had suffered a long illness.

He joined Walsall Rugby Club in the late 1950s, becoming a regular first team player and took on the role of club secretary in 1982.

He was appointed president in 1991 for a five-year spell, overseeing the most successful era in the club's history as the team achieved promotion to the National Leagues after winning all of their Midlands One matches.

Mr Peacock also instigated several projects to improve the clubhouse and changing room facilities.

During his lifetime he saw the club, which was established in 1922, win promotion to the national league during 1988/89 followed in 1994/95 with further promotion as champions of National Division 5 North.

The following season Walsall gained promotion to National Division 3.

Mr Peacock also watched the club lift the Staffordshire Cup nine times and the Amsterdam Sevens Tournament twice.

Club president Tim Smith said: "Don was a member of the club for more than 60 years.

"He represented the club as a first team player, committee member and eventually became president of the club.

"He was our main representative until about three years ago and was involved in the club right up until the end of last season.

"Don was a well respected and well loved man.

"He was hugely generous to players and supporters of the club."

During his time working as engineering and town planning director with Walsall Council, Mr Peacock was involved in several major projects before taking early retirement.

He helped with the M6 toll road and 'detrunking' the A452.

The toll now runs for 27 miles, from Junction 3a on the M6 all the way round the north east of the West Midlands.

Mr Peacock was behind the first Puffin crossing in Walsall and was part of the team that developed large-scale housing schemes in Coppice Farm Willenhall, Darlaston and North of Bloxwich.

He also helped run numerous multi-million projects including a scheme to reduce the number of potholes in Walsall and a project to make the borough's limestone caverns safe after the ground opened up at the Central Coachways, both during the last 1980s.

Mr Peacock led construction of the £1 million Aldridge by-pass and criticised the government when it refused to give grants to replace dangerous concrete lampposts during the early 1990s.

Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, said: "I knew Don very well.

"He was a lovely, lovely man and a great officer who played a valued and important role in the council.

"He will be sorely missed. A real gentleman."

Mr Peacock, who died on December 22, is survived by his wife and two daughters.

His funeral will take place at St Margaret's Church, Great Barr, at noon on January 12.