Tribute to Tom Danby
England Rugby's oldest ex-international rugby player has died aged 96.
Tom Danby, England Rugby’s oldest surviving international player, gained one cap in 1949 before transferring to rugby league. He passed away at his home in East Sussex aged 96.
A schoolteacher born in Trimdon Village, County Durham, Tom played for Gosport, Durham City, Harlequins, the Army, Combined Services, Durham and Hampshire. He played once for England on the wing, against Wales in 1949. He then made the switch to rugby league, playing wing for Salford and both England and Great Britain in 1950.
In a 2014 interview, Tom spoke fondly of his time as an England player.
He said: "You got an official letter, all printed out with your name on it. I recognised the envelope when it arrived. I was thrilled but nervous. I think somehow I always felt in the back of my mind that I was just a little village lad whose dad was a quarryman - what am I doing in this company?"
Tom earned his international appearance in a championship game against Wales in 1949. His side lost 9-3. "I remember the game well. It was a different game of rugby in those days. I remember thinking 'please give me a pass'. I think I got a couple of runs down the wing and made some ground, but it was a tight game, definitely a forward's battle."
Despite not playing internationally in the union code again, Tom remained proud of the opportunity that he was given that day.
"To have even had the one chance was the thrill of a lifetime. I still had the mindset of being a little village lad from Durham, so I was just thrilled to have made it that far."
