Sudbury rugby community remembers 'genuine club man' Charlie Wiseman following death at age of 54

A passionate contributor to the Sudbury rugby family, who lost his battle with cancer, has been remembered as a 'true club man' who will 'leave a void' in the hearts of all who knew him.

Long-time Sudbury Rugby Club coach and supporter Charlie Wiseman died on Saturday, at the age of 54, following a short fight with leukemia.

Affectionately nicknamed Mad Dog, Charlie was a stalwart of the club’s coaching staff, from the minis all the way through the age groups to the Colts team, having began when his son, Ryan, joined the club at the age of six.

He also played a key role in supporting the growth of women’s rugby at the club, where his daughter, Nic, also played, with his enthusiasm for the ladies’ and girls’ programme described as second to none.

Sudbury Rugby Club’s first-team manager Simon Dain, who has been involved with the club for over a decade, said he knew Charlie well from both sport and their work in the farming trade.

“I met Charlie when he was coaching the age group his son was in, and he went right the way through,” Simon told Suffolk News.

“We had rugby and farming in common, as Charlie worked at Thurlow Estate in Haverhill.

“He was always willing to do anything to help. He was the sort of bloke who, if you asked for a hand with something, he would drop everything to help you out.

“It’s very sad, because it all happened very quickly, after he was diagnosed with cancer.

“We will miss him a lot. He did so much behind the scenes and he always had a smile on his face.”

Simon also paid tribute to Charlie’s keen involvement with the Sudbury Sapphires women’s team, which earned promotion this season.

“Charlie was a huge advocate for ladies’ and girls’ rugby,” he added. “It’s a growing sport and he was a huge fan of them.

“Even when he was in hospital the last few weeks, we would text him the scores so he knew what was going on, because he was such as big fan.”

Charlie is survived by his partner, Anna, and children Ryan and Nic.

The Sudbury Sapphires women’s team will observe a minute’s applause in honour of Charlie’s contributions ahead of their final game of the season against Ipswich Iceni on Sunday at 3.30pm.

A statement issued by the rugby club read: “Before passing away on Saturday, Charlie fought leukemia bravely, but for only a short time, before succumbing to the disease.

“Charlie exemplified the ideal of a genuine club man who had a deep appreciation for the game.

“Beginning with the minis and going through to the Colts, he had been a member of a coaching squad for one age group throughout the length of that group’s existence.

“Both of his children, Nic, who plays for the Sapphires, and Ryan, who began playing when he was just six years old, continue to play for their respective teams today.

“Charlie was a devoted supporter of the team and proudly donned the Tigers uniform on multiple occasions, occasionally playing alongside Ryan.

“His enthusiasm and love for girls’ and ladies’ rugby was unrivaled and, as a result, those of us who had the good fortune to be able to call him a friend will miss him deeply.

“The loss of him will leave a void in every one of our hearts. He will be sorely missed by us all who knew him and were lucky to call him a friend.”