March Bears to hold memorial rugby match for former vice-president on Saturday
Story by: GAVIN CANEY
Doug Cranwell
MARCH Bears Rugby Club are holding a special match in memory of their former vice-president Doug Cranwell on Saturday.
A Legends XV and Bears XV senior squad will face each other at the Elm Road Sports Ground, March, and the club are hoping for a good turnout to honour the man nicknamed 'Mr Dedication'.
Mr Cranwell's son Stephen, 53, had played for the side when he was younger and it is hoped that players both past and present will come together to support the event.
Current Bears' chairman Barry Feetham described the club's former vice-president as "a true gentleman" when tributes flooded in to the Cambs Times after his death.
Mr Cranwell died on September 28, two days after his Ford Focus left the A142 Ireton's Way, Chatteris, close to the junction with Wenny Road, and ended in a garden.
The 83-year-old made a lasting impact on a number of organisations across Fenland including Ely City Football Club who postponed a match in his honour after the accident.
Mr Cranwell was also a founding member of Ely Rugby Club and showed similar allegiance to March Conservative Club and Middle Level Commissioners in March where he worked for 44 years.
The match starts at 3pm.