David Duckham

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David Duckham
MBE
Birth nameDavid John Duckham MBE
Date of birth(1946-06-28)28 June 1946
Place of birthCoventry, Warwickshire, England
Date of death9 January 2023(2023-01-09) (aged 76)
Place of deathLondon, England
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight14 st 9 lb (93 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s)
Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1967–1979 Coventry 188 (88)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1969–1976
1971
1973
British and Irish Lions
Barbarians
 36
3		 (36)
(0)

David John Duckham

Barbarians F.C. in their 1973 defeat of New Zealand
.

Early life and education

Born in Coventry, Warwickshire on 28 June 1946,[1] Duckham was educated at Coundon Infant and Junior School and King Henry VIII Grammar School,[2]

Rugby career

Early success

Duckham played his entire club career for his hometown club, Coventry R.F.C. playing at both centre and wing from 1967 to 1979. He made his international debut for England against Ireland in 1969, and quickly established himself as one of England's best centres. Duckham's early career saw him form a notable centre partnership with John Spencer. His game was marked by pace, swerves, sidesteps and an ability to wrong-foot his opponents, although this came at a time when the English team were struggling, especially against rivals Wales.[3]

"Dai Duckham"

Duckham is perhaps best remembered for his performances for the British and Irish Lions and Barbarians teams under the Welsh coach

1971 British Lions tour to New Zealand. Under James' tutelage, Duckham was given an attacking freedom that he had not experienced with England and this brought the best out of his remarkable talent. Duckham would score 11 tries in his 16 games on the tour, featuring in three tests.[5] Duckham's six tries in the match against West Coast-Buller set a record for a visiting player in a single match in New Zealand.[6]

In 1973, Duckham was reunited with James and many of his teammates from the 1971 Lions tour, when he was named as the only English back in the

All Blacks at Cardiff Arms Park. In the match, Duckham's counter-attacks broke the All Black's defence, even wrong-footing a cameraman with one outrageous dummy. The match is remembered as a classic, with the Barbarians winning 23–11. Duckham's transformation under James, together with his status as the lone Englishman in a backline dominated by Welsh players, would see him became a favourite among both Welsh players and supporters, with many regarding him as one of their own. This earned him the life long nickname Dai (an affectionate Welsh hypocorism of David).[3][4] Duckham would even name his autobiography, Dai for England.[7]

Later career

Duckham took his attacking form into the

London Scottish RFC.[8] Injury would prevent Duckham from taking part in the 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa, but he would continue to feature for England making his final appearance in 1976 against Scotland at Murrayfield
.

Later years

Duckham was appointed

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1977 New Year Honours for services to rugby football.[9] After retirement, Duckham worked for building societies and banks, and was director of marketing for Bloxham School.[10] Duckham was also Honorary President of the rugby charity Wooden Spoon[11]
improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland.

Duckham died from a heart condition on 9 January 2023, at the age of 76.[4][12]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to David Duckham.
  1. ISBN 0-460-07003-7
    .
  2. ^ The UK's Longest Established Talent Agency & Speaker Bureau. Gordonpoole.com. Retrieved 12 July 2016.
  3. ^ a b Kitson, Robert (10 January 2023). "Former England and Lions back David Duckham dies aged 76". Guardian. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Mairs, Gavin (10 January 2023). "David Duckham, England and Lions great, dies aged 76". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  5. ^ "11: David Duckham". BBC News. 13 January 2004. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
  6. ^ David Duckham. Lionsrugby.com
  7. ^ "Dai For England: The Autobiography Of David Duckham". Goodreads.com. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  8. ^ Bull, Andy (19 January 2023). "David Duckham was the romantics' dream and every defender's nightmare". Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  9. ^ United Kingdom: "No. 47102". The London Gazette (Supplement). 30 December 1976. p. 14.
  10. ^ "Where Are They Now?: David Duckham". The Independent. 22 October 2011. Archived from the original on 17 April 2021. Retrieved 13 May 2021.
  11. ^ Gillespie, Graeme (11 January 2023). "Sir Gareth leads tributes to 'Dai' Duckham". wru.wales. Welsh Rugby Union. Retrieved 16 January 2023.
  12. ^ "David Duckham obituary". The Times. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
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