Tottonians Rugby Club were deeply saddened by the news that arguably one of its very best players, former captain and coach Pete Fryatt, had passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, last Friday (31st July) following a short illness.
The word ‘legend’ is bandied around all too readily but that didn’t really cover the achievements of Fryatt, who played for the club from 1968 through to his retirement in 1990 – save for a short stint with Bath in 1974 – when he would become the team’s coach.
Capped xx times by Hampshire in the County Championship – Hampshire post-war cap number xxx – Fryatt was masterly at fly-half, with opponents fearing the deft footed and silk handling player of enormous quality.
He attracted the attention of Bath and made his debut against Pontypool in September 1974 – the Welsh side winning 16-6 with Fryatt kicking two penalties playing at full-back and he would go on to play 15 games for the club, closing just three months later against London Scottish (a 49-4 loss with Pete missing a conversion and a handful of penalties) with 103 points to his name – a report saying that he had collected half of the points Bath had scored at the point that season!
Bath Rugby team photo from 1974:
Back Row: Vince Gaiger, John Cousins, Bert Meddick, Clive Harry, Brian Jenkins, Mike Beese, Geoff Pudney, David Gay, Robbie Lye
Front Row: Peter Fryatt, Geoff Pillinger, Malcolm Lloyd, Chris Perry, Alan Parfitt, John Horton, Tony Hicks.
But it was with Tottonians that he made his name and where is name is forever etched its history. And those that he played with, alongside and enjoyed/endured his coaching sessions – he will be very sorely missed.
Lets hear from those who knew him well, here’s Keith ‘Chippy’ Searle. “I was so saddened to hear of Pete’s passing as all of us who played and socialised with him are.
“Pete went to Totton Grammar School and played for Old Tottonians when it merged with Totton RFC to become Tottonians in 1969/70. Pete represented Hampshire at full back at this time and was soon picked up by Bath who recognised his prodigious talent particularly with the boot.
“Pete returned to Totts to captain the 1st XV in 1975/76 and this was when I first played with him as a callow 19 year old. My first team debut came by default as Pete axed a number of players who had missed the ferry for the Isle of Wight game! Despite the absentees catching the hydrofoil and making the game, heads duly rolled. We were soundly beaten the following week and the naughty boys were restored!
“Pete then played regularly at fly half for the firsts for many years and many of us who played with him can recall countless games where his kicking off the tee and out of hand won games where, without his ability, we may have come off second best.
“During these years he was supported by his lovely wife Maddie who’s booming “Come on T’s” would drown out all opposition support! When I was captain in 1989/90, Pete agreed to be my vice captain despite being 40 years old. His knowledge and skill were invaluable. The following year he retired and volunteered to coach with John Robertson and Johnny Goodall. This was the first time we’d had coaches as, until that point, coaching and selection duties were down to the first team captain.
“Our first game under their management was North Dorset away. They had no clubhouse then but their changing rooms were at the back of a pub we went back to after the game. We got changed and I was looking forward to not having to do the warm up. Pete and John were nowhere to be seen. I went in the pub and Pete and John were having a pint. “Start the warm, Chip”, says Pete, “we’ll be there in a minute.”
“After this auspicious start the coaching set up proved to be excellent and I enjoyed working with them for the rest of my captaincy. After coaching, Pete followed the club home and away. I always had a chat with him in the bar after the game as did many others and his insight and knowledge of the game never dimmed.
“One the best many of us ever played and drank with, a true legend. Our thoughts are with Maddie and family.”
One of his coaching partners when he took over the reigns following retirement was Johnny Goodall and he paid his tribute too. “Pete came back to us from Bath and brought with him experience and talent. He was a quiet man but when he spoke, everyone listened. A true leader!
“In those days, and prior to any floodlighting, the captain took the training and he had us all running around in the sports hall at Testwood School whilst he stood in the middle shouting instructions as he ran us all into the ground.
“The other training torture was in the gym at Totton Sixth Form College. The equipment was laid out like an obstacle course and we leapt, jumped, ducked and ran some more! We were all super fit and gained stamina!
“As a captain he was cool and calm with the boot of a Howitzer! As the club grew and changed tack, he and I became the ‘coaches‘ for the club and devised many a session to try and build the same strength and stamina as the good old days but with a little bit more politically correct exercises and an aim at improving skills!
“Pete commanded the respect that he offered others. His reliable and consistent personality created a warmth off the pitch and a blazing fire on it. His influence within the club will live on and Totts is a better club for having him in it!”
And another of his partners was John Robertson. “I first met Peter just after I started playing rugby, when he returned to Totts after his Bath journey. I’d heard about him being one of the greats as a player for Totts and we hit it off straightaway – same stupid and childish sense of humour!
!I enjoyed our time playing squash, tennis and of course rugby, but it was our social times that was always fun. From walking in the Lake District to our annual pre Christmas drinks in town, always after a few pints reminiscing about our playing days.
“Pete was a special loyal friend who was there for me at difficult times in my life. I’ll miss our stupid phone calls and touch line banter. RIP my friend – Robbo.”
Finally, from club President Richard Marshall. “Really sad news. Pete truly was a Tottonians legend.
“He was a talented player, great coach, outstanding captain and a fantastic supporter of the club. Pete could read a game of rugby well and was always positive and constructive with his observations and comments.
“A lovely bloke who will be sadly missed by all at Tottonians.”
There are few who will have anything other than respect and admiration for Pete. A leading light in local rugby – he was instrumental in creating Waterside Combination RFC, a team made up of players from five clubs in the area (Tottonians, Southampton, Millbrook, Romsey and Esso Fawley) in the early 1990s in an attempt to “attract the best players to the Waterside area.”
However, it was with Tottonians, wearing that number 10 shirt that he will always be remembered. RIP Pete – and thank you for all you did for our club.
