School in tribute to old boy who was a ‘legend’

EDDIE Butler’s old school has described him as a “legend”.

A minute’s silence will be observed at the school’s rugby games today as poignantly it is playing fixtures against the West school where Butler taught.

Before playing for Pontypool,

Wales and the British Lions he captained the 1st XV of Haberdashers’ Monmouth School.

The school yesterday paid tribute and said he had been involved in so many aspects of the school, including fundraising and as the voice of the latest promotional film.

Four of Butler’s children were educated at Monmouth, and he was a trustee of the Monmouth Schools Charitable Trust.

Headmaster at Monmouth School for Boys, Simon Dorman, led tributes to Butler, who was in the class of 1974 and part of the 1972 1st XV rugby side that enjoyed an unbeaten season.

“Eddie was a lifelong friend and supporter of Monmouth School for Boys and the family of Haberdashers’ Monmouth Schools,” said Mr Dorman.

“As a member of the Monmouth Schools Charitable Trust, Eddie supported important fundraising events to create bursaries for children who could not otherwise have attended the schools. Eddie was always generous with his time and advice, and he loved coming into our schools to meet with the boys and girls and hear about their aspirations.”

Monmouth School for Boys will be holding a minute’s silence today, before its home and away rugby fixtures against Cheltenham College, where Butler spent time as a French teacher.

The 1st XV will be playing at home to Cheltenham and the Monmouth boys will be remembering the much-loved former Wales captain and broadcaster.