Peter Carruthers

26.03.1957 - 26.11.2005

Aged 48 years

Might make good reading from Bob Jenkins and Myself.

Bob Jenkins:

You can talk about characters or you can talk about CHARACTERS!

On a scale of 1 to 10, Peter Carruthers scores 11!!!   Not everyone appreciated Peter's wicked sense of fun!

The more someone became uncomfortable, the greater his "nuisance value" developed. Peter was the best I ever knew at honing in on a vulnerable area within someone’s make up, and any weakness would be pitifully exposed.

Peter loved life, loved rugby and the people associated with the game, He "made the grade" mainly as an accomplished centre, but would play anywhere "for a game". His exploits on rugby tours are legendary and it would take to long to even begin to recall them all so I'll focus upon a few.

On a trip to Ireland to watch Wales at Lansdowne Road, I met up with Peter in the 'Kingshead' in Aberaman for a couple of jars before we got on the minibus to Cardiff Airport, Peter as was his custom was wearing his trademark white "ice-cream man's " coat (it wouldn't be white for long) and carrying a small leather suitcase.

We caught the minibus and just after Mt Ash, Peter opens his suitcase to expose 2 flagons of strongbow -- nothing else!!!!

We drank the contents of his case before Pontypridd!  At the airport Peter behaved himself for about 5 minutes - a long time for him. Normal service was soon restored though, he laid flat out on the baggage conveyor belt with his case (empty) on his chest.  He disappeared through the hanging flaps to roars of laughter (and from behind the flaps) and reappeared (still flat out) some moments later to loud applause!!  He went around 3 times and only got off: he told me because he was getting giddy.

In Ireland he bought a penny whistle and with it his nuisance value soared when he found the most piercing note imaginable.  He would repeat this note constantly to everyone’s - but his own - annoyance!  The more anyone complained the more he kept up the racket!  On the Saturday night of the game a gang of lads from West Wales were doing their best to get a sing song going in the hotel bar but couldn't because of Peters new found musical prowess.  They complained a few times only to be told by Peter that he had stopped and wouldn't continue make a noise.

But as by now you might have guessed the racket continued as soon as they started to sing.  Well the threat to Peters life started to come on thick and fast and most normal people would have give up and walked away - But oh no not Peter - the wind up was well and truly on!

After a couple of hours of tension Peter had convinced the West Walians that they were the problem and not him and they were suffering from "Derginalds Disease" - Stage 3 was complaining for no reason. The only cure being death at stage 10.

How he came out of there alive I'll never know.

Darrell Williams:

To follow Bob about Peter I to have some memories that make me laugh and also revolve around an Ireland trip, perhaps he thought he could get away with anything there.

For my part I was involved in the organisation of this tour of Ireland run by Jeff Shellard who at the time was going through his "I'll thump anything phase" so the tour was called The Skull 'tap tap' Tour.  We all got on the bus at the clubhouse and set off for Fishguard, Jeff duly gets on the microphone and starts laying down the law about best behaviour and respect or he'd sort them out etc etc.

He makes his way to his seat near the back of the bus. After a few minutes over the microphone came a loud “BING BONG” Skull tours very own tour rep Peter had got his hands on the mike.  Peter started pointing out famous land marks to the left and right of the bus  he hardly took a breath we had only got as far as the Glynneath bank, and manage to evade the Skulls threats all the way to Fishguard he would not stop.

Now as most would leave well alone and that was the end of it but no Peter being as mad as they come had other ideas!!  The next level was yet to come about twenty minutes in the ferry voyage and the Skull calming slightly another BING BONG come out over the ships public address system, "Would the organiser of Skull tours to Ireland come to meet the Captain at so and so"  The Skull gets up from his seat feeling very important and start towards the meeting point only to find Peter laughing his head off

he only set him up again (and Peter nearly had is head knocked of as Jeff was not at all happy!)

Peter was a character but was not just a joker he could play as well and to many his finest game as has been said before was in the cup away at Tenby Utd who were supposed to progress easily to the next round, well Peter had other ideas on that day his box kicking, tackling and running baffled the opposition all game he frustrated, infuriated and finally gave them the run around until they were chasing shadows what a performance from short bald man!!!! 

We could go on but some stories are best to be talked with others rather than written on times - and anyway Peter would rather have the company to wind people up than read about it!!

Peter will be remembered for his outrageous wit and his skill as a rugby player, but most of all for the fun that he created when in his company.

He is sadly missed and without any doubt will never be replaced.

Keep it up Peter never let the B ____ GET THE BETTER OF YOU.

With love, God bless

Bob Jenkins & Darrell (Daz) Williams