Published: 14/03/2010 07:00 -
Updated: 15/03/2010 11:54
Tributes have been paid to a rugby player who died last weekend.
Paul Leggott, 31, of The Elms, Kempston, played for a number of clubs in the area including Bedford Athletic, Kempston and Queens.
Speaking to Bedfordshire on Sunday his mother Angela, 65, remembered him as a successful and charismatic individual.
She said: “He had challenges growing up but he did achieve.
“He got a place at Bedford Modern School and I was extremely proud of him.
“He was helpful to people and was massively handsome.
His sister Hannah, 29, said her brother was due to start a new job and the company had said how enthusiastic he was about it.
His half-sister had also died.
As well as making around 11 appearances for the first team at the Ath this season, Paul had recently been involved in coaching the second team.
Val Jones, the director of Rugby with the Ath, said he spoke to Paul the day before he died.
“He was running the second team on the Saturday afternoon and we were talking about plans for the future and the club.
“Paul was one of those people that if you asked him to do something he would do it for you.
“He knew a lot of people and played for lots of different teams.
He was a part of the Eastern Regional Championship winning side in 2006, scoring a try in the grand final.
On the Tigers’ website it says: “It’s with regret that we announce the death of long time Tigers player Paul Leggott who passed away on Sunday at the age of 31.
“Leggy was well known by almost everyone in local rugby circles having played for every club around.
“Everyone who knew him will have a story to make them laugh and he will be fondly remembered.
Paul Leggott
Speaking to Bedfordshire on Sunday his mother Angela, 65, remembered him as a successful and charismatic individual.
She said: “He had challenges growing up but he did achieve.
“He got a place at Bedford Modern School and I was extremely proud of him.
“He was helpful to people and was massively handsome.
His sister Hannah, 29, said her brother was due to start a new job and the company had said how enthusiastic he was about it.
She added that Paul was a ‘passionate’ person and was very ‘sociable. He had a lot of friends.”
The family had previously experienced loss when Paul’s father took his own life when he was eight.
His half-sister had also died.
As well as making around 11 appearances for the first team at the Ath this season, Paul had recently been involved in coaching the second team.
Val Jones, the director of Rugby with the Ath, said he spoke to Paul the day before he died.
“He was running the second team on the Saturday afternoon and we were talking about plans for the future and the club.
“Paul was one of those people that if you asked him to do something he would do it for you.
“He knew a lot of people and played for lots of different teams.
“We were devastated when we heard the news.”
Paul also played Rugby League for the Bedford Tigers and has represented them since 2004, playing in the London League grand final.
He was a part of the Eastern Regional Championship winning side in 2006, scoring a try in the grand final.
On the Tigers’ website it says: “It’s with regret that we announce the death of long time Tigers player Paul Leggott who passed away on Sunday at the age of 31.
“Leggy was well known by almost everyone in local rugby circles having played for every club around.
“Everyone who knew him will have a story to make them laugh and he will be fondly remembered.
“Our thoughts, sympathies and condolences go out to his family and friends at this very difficult time.”
Paul also leaves behind his three-year-old daughter Martha.
An inquest has been opened and adjourned into Paul’s death , the cause of which has been listed as ‘suspension’.
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