TRIPLE BLOW

John Barnes - Tony Stevenson - Darren Hicks

February 12th 2010

Helmund Province Afghanistan

People in the Penzance and Newlyn district have been deeply saddened to hear this week that three respected men, all who had associations with the Pirates, have died.

Lance Corporal Darren Hicks

The loss of Darren Hicks, aged just 29, has hit the local community especially hard. Darren was a Lance Corporal with the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, serving in Afghanistan. He was killed in an explosion whilst on foot patrol in Babaji District in Helmand Province on Thursday morning.

A product of the Pirates mini-junior section, Darren played for the Colts and more recently the Pirates 'Amateurs'. Indeed, he led the Pirates Amateurs to victory at St. Just in September, prior to starting his military tour to Afghanistan.

Paul Greaves, who fondly remembers coaching Darren at Colts level, had welcomed the opportunity to coach him again, and along with Scott Dugdale and all other members of the Pirates Amateurs, held him in the highest regard.

A spokesman for the Task Force in Helmand said “Darren will be sorely missed by his comrades, and his steadfast courage will not be forgotten.”

The most sincere condolences are expressed from all Pirates to the families of John, Tony, and Darren.

John Barnes

The first news heard was that John Barnes had suddenly passed away. Following careers in the Army and in industry, not long after his return home to Penzance, John, then aged 57, briefly held the office of Chief Executive Officer with the Pirates in 2004.

A keen sportsman and and successful runner in his youth, he played and administered rugby during his time in the Army, and was throughout a keen follower of the Pirates. His grandfather played for Penzance, while his uncle Hugh Martin designed the Pirates badge.

The funeral service is at Ludgvan Church on the 1st March 2.30pm.
Following the service all who attend are invited to the Pirates Rugby Club, Penzance

Tony Stevenson

On Thursday it was confirmed that Tony Stevenson had died after a long illness. A member of the W. Stevenson & Sons family from Newlyn, Tony was a gifted sportsman.

He represented Cornwall at both rugby and water polo, and was a keen swimmer throughout his active life. A strong and fast winger, he first played for the Pirates in 1957/58, scoring a then club record of 28 tries in his second season.

Also a useful 'Sevens' player, Tony eventually hung up his boots in 1974, having amassed a total of 501 games for the Pirates, which is a milestone reached by just 16 players during the club's history.