It is with great sadness that Northampton Saints announces the passing of former player John Surguy.
Surguy made 72 appearances across two spells for the men in Black, Green and Gold, making his debut in 1977.
After cutting his rugby teeth at Peterborough RFC, it was his exploits with Bletchley RFC that caught the attention of Saints after managing 39-point hauls in successive games.
The prolific point-scoring fly-half, former teammates recall, would often boast that he scored more tries than made tackles when on the rugby pitch.
Two years after joining Saints he took part in the Centenary Tour to the USA in 1979 and also featured in a Mobbs Memorial Match for the East Midlands against Barbarian F.C. while a Saints player.
Surguy’s first spell at the Gardens ended with a return to Bletchley RFC, while his second exit from Northampton saw him team up with Leighton Buzzard RFC. There he featured prominently in the East Midlands Cup wins of 1986 and 1987.
Fiercely proud of his Saints connections, Surguy regularly returned to the Gardens to watch the Club and often frequented The Crooked Hooker. He even wrote a book based on his Saints career and as recently as February this year attended the inaugural Northampton Saints Past Players Lunch at the Royal Automobile Club in London.
His sporting prowess extended to the golf course where he would regularly compete with fellow former Saintsmen against rival rugby clubs’ alumni. A tall, slim and athletic man, Surguy was also well known for his joke-telling ability, and enjoyed a fine professional career as a PE teacher.
Following the death of his wife Sally, Surguy relocated to Buckinghamshire where he lived with his partner, Susanne. He passed away aged 70 on Wednesday 9 August.
John leaves behind his son Mark and family, and Susanne and family. He is missed dearly.
A service to celebrate John’s life is to be held at GreenAcres Chiltern on Friday 25 August 2023 at 1pm. Please note that numbers are limited at this venue, so please send confirmation of attendance either by email (preferred) to [email protected] or via phone on 01494 685000.
Should you wish to bring flowers then please do, however donations to Bowel Cancer UK will be very gratefully received here: johnsurguy.muchloved.com
