St Mary's Old Boys RFC is saddened to announce that club legend Gary Hesketh passed away last week following his fight with cancer.

Gary arrived at St Mary’s as a 14-year-old strong running centre and spent most of his early career playing in the backs.

He eventually made the switch to prop where he became one of the best loose heads in the South West, renowned for his deceptively strong scrummaging and powerful running game. Gary once claimed that former England international Julian White was the only person to get the better of him at scrum time. He’d found his vocation in the front row.

Gary was part of many successful sides as a Saint. He won 4 Bristol Combination Cups as a player and was part of numerous promotions at the club – including the memorable 2002/03 season where he also helped the club reach the Powergen Cup Final at Twickenham.

It was around this time that Gary started coaching at the club. For 14 years he coached his son Sam's age group and was immensely proud of how those boys developed. I am sure if you asked any of the lads that Gary coached, they would tell you how much of a role model he was.

The teams always had great numbers and in their final game together won the GRFU U18’s league. It was the crowning achievement for Gary and all his hard work.

Gary continued to put on the famous green & black during that time. Even as recently as 2020, he would reluctantly put on his boots for the seconds & thirds, playing with his son and some of the other lads he coached for many years. He was proud to wear the badge alongside the boys who he helped become men.

Legend is often an overused word. But not here. Gary was a legend of St Mary’s Old Boys and he’ll always be remembered as such.

St Mary’s passes on their sincere condolences to Sam, Laura, Nicola and the extended Hesketh family at this difficult time.

See the full article supplied to me (below in documents) for pictures of Gary.

The funeral will be held on the 15th June 14:45 at Westerleigh crematorium and afterwards at St Mary’s Old Boys RFC, Trench Lane, Winterbourne. Family flowers only. A collection will be made for St Peters Hospice.