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Tributes Paid To Ventnor Rugby Club 'Legend'

Tributes are being paid to a 'legend' of Ventnor Rugby Club, who has sadly died.

Merv Ringer wasn’t a rugby player, but became part of the beating heart of Ventnor Rugby Club. He and his late wife, Jill, took over the full responsibility for catering and the highly successful running of the bar from the very earliest days of the club in the 1970s.

Merv was said to be an expert at rings, darts, snooker - and as a joke teller! As pétanque gradually gained a large foothold on the Island, Merv developed into a very skilled performer, playing at a high level, both on the Island and in mainland competitions.

He was also instrumental in the organisation of many Isle of Wight competitions, as well as becoming a national umpire. 

Later in life, along with his second wife Carol, he rediscovered his love of horses and the countryside.

A Ventnor Rugby Club spokesperson said:

"Merv was a great companion, with a tremendous sense of humour and will be sadly missed."

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