Stalwart of county rugby included in King's Birthday Honours list

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A stalwart of Herefordshire rugby has been included in this year's King's Birthday Honours.

John Frederick Escott was awarded a British Empire Medal (BEM) in the King's Birthday Honours list for his services to sporting education.

86-year-old Mr Escott said his grandson had been with him at the time the letter arrived in May, and he had joked that it was "probably a parking fine".

Mr Escott worked at Bishop's for over 31 years, along with spending five years at Hereford Cathedral School, and six years at Hereford Rugby Club, during its "heyday".

"I tell people that I had the best job in the world, and how many people can say that?" he said.

He said he had "terrific staff" surrounding him, who helped build everything up, and "the rest is history".

Mr Escott first introduced rugby to the Bishops of Hereford's Blue Coat School in 1964.

He keeps in touch with his first-ever team, meeting around four times a year, sometimes at the Bunch of Carrots pub in Hampton Bishop.

In 2015, when asked to name the best team, he said it was hard to pick, but he believed the 1986/87 and 2005/06 sides particularly stood out.

"The 1986/87 team scored 1,003 points and only conceded 120 in 20 matches," said Escott.

"No team before or after scored as many points.

Mr Escott stopped coaching around the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, which he said "killed sports in schools".

He said that to be invited to a Royal event to receive his award was "Just amazing", and it is still a "all a shock" to him.

Tomorrow, (Saturday, June 14), an event will be held at Hereford's Left Bank Village to celebrate 60 years since he established rugby at Bishop's.

Mr Escott and his "right-hand man" for many years, Peter Archer, will be giving speeches.

The Old Boys Association are looking to hold an annual event in support of the continued success of rugby at Bishops.

The dinner will raise several hundred pounds for rugby equipment for current pupils.