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Former Blues to receive retrospective England caps
Bedford Blues are proud that a number of former players are to receive retrospective England caps following a major heritage initiative announced by the Rugby Football Union (RFU).
In total, 47 players will receive retrospective caps, four of whom to have worn the Bedford colours, and three of which who were playing their club rugby at Goldington Road at the time.
Many of these fixtures were classified differently under historical regulations, such as Victory Internationals, select tour matches or one-off representative games, meaning players who played for England did not receive caps despite competing against national XVs from other major rugby nations.
These retrospective caps correct this historical oversight and honours the commitment, skill and service of the players who proudly wore the rose.
It takes the number of players capped while at Bedford up to 45.
H ‘Ron’ Peel – 1945
Second Row Peel made 31 appearances for Bedford Blues in the war years of 1942/43 – 1945/46.
Chipping in with the occasional conversion as well as 11 tries, Peel made three appearances for the Barbarians in 1946, winning two of them.
He is to receive his retrospective cap having played a number of times for England, firstly in 1945 against the New Zealand Kiwis as a Bedford player and latterly when at Headingley in 1946 for all five Victory Internationals.
Clarence George Gilthorpe – 1946
Hooker Gilthorpe featured on just eight occasions for Bedford Blues either side of the Second World War, making one appearance in a victory over Aldershot in 1937/38, before returning in 1945/46.
Another forward who could also kick off the tee, Gilthorpe was unbeaten in his six appearances for the Barbarians, serving in the RAF during WW2 in the Special and Administrative Duties branch.
He played for Oxford University following his time at Bedford, getting his Blue and becoming the oldest ever varsity player at the time.
He is to receive his retrospective cap having played in the Wales vs England fixture in Cardiff in January 1946.
Ian George Peck – 1979
A former captain of Bedford Blues, Peck made 246 appearances between 1975-88.
He is a rare ‘double Blue’ having captained both the cricket and rugby union teams at Cambridge University, playing first class cricket for Northamptonshire and latterly in minor counties with Bedfordshire.
He is to receive his retrospective cap having played in three matches in 1979, against Japan, Fiji and Tonga. He was also an unused replacement for all of England’s Grand Slam winning 1980 Five Nations campaign.
Blues were delighted to see ‘Pecky’ back at Goldington Road last weekend as part of the Former Players Spring Luncheon.
Honourable Mention – Simon Smith
Fly half Smith made 63 appearances for Bedford Blues from 1982-84, ending both his full seasons at Goldington Road as the club’s top points scorer.
At the time, his record of 67 penalty goals in 1982/83 was a club seasonal record.
Simon’s father, Jack, is a former club captain and an illustrious member of the 300 club, still the sixth highest appearance maker through history with 343.
He is set to receive his retrospective cap for his appearance while a Richmond player as England stand-off against Italy in Rome in 1986.
A capping ceremony will take place at the World Rugby Museum later this year and caps will be sent to the families of those players who are no longer with us.
*Thanks to Tim Jones for his help with the research into this project.
