RIP Phil Holman

Exeter Rugby club were today saddened to hear the news that former player, coach and club steward Phil Holman passed away on Wednesday

A stalwart of the club for countless years, the popular 64-year-old leaves wife Geri and his two children Robert and Fiona.

Raised in Exmouth, Phil kicked off his sporting career with his hometown rugby club before joining Exeter in the late 1960's where he played for a handful of years.

A job switch with Barclays Bank meant Phil was forced to move to Barnstaple and he continued his rugby career in North Devon until the early 70s.

The highlight - so says close friend Bob Staddon - was when fly-half Phil was selected for a Cornwall/Devon XV that took on Romania in a clash held at Devonport Services in 1972. Team-mates on that day included Staddon himself and John Baxter, as well as famous Cornishmen such as Pete Hendy and Brian 'Stack' Stevens.

A talented cricketer with Chumleigh and a keen golfer at Exeter Golf & Country Club, Phil's main passion remained rugby and during the 1986/87 season he found himself back at the old County Ground as part of a new-look coaching team who were tasked with trying to get Exeter back on track after some testing years.

According to Staddon, Phil was an "inspiration" to the players and played a key role in helping Exeter to get back to winning ways.

In more recent times, Phil was a popular figure on match-days where he was a leading steward at Sandy Park, as well as a key co-ordinator in many of the club's away-day ventures.

His loss will certainly be felt across the board and his contribution was hailed by former player and another club stalwart John Lockyer. He said: "Phil and I have been friends for over 40 years and have played rugby together. Phil was a very good sportsman who loved his rugby, golf, cricket and skittles and he was a very proud member of Exeter Rugby Club. A good man who was a keen member of the Supporters Club, he will be missed greatly by his family and friends and everyone who knew him."