County rugby legend Bishop dies

Bill Bishop's Commission introduced a league system in England

Cornish rugby legend and community fundraiser Bill Bishop has died at the age of 74.

Mr Bishop was president of the Cornwall Rugby Football Union from 1995 to 1996. He was later made a life member of the Union for his work.

He received the OBE for services to Cornish rugby in 1991.

Mr Bishop was also well known across Cornwall as a magistrate, a member of Truro Round Table and Chairman of the Sunrise Appeal.

'Inspirational'

He played hooker for several clubs in Cornwall and represented the county on the RFU from 1976 to 1995.

He also chaired the Bishop Commission, which was responsible for introducing a league system in England.

Life-long friend and BBC Radio Cornwall rugby reporter Dave Martin said: "I knew Bill for 44 years. It will be a sad loss for his family, but also particularly for rugby followers, not only in the county but also around the country.

"He was a very well-liked and respected man. In his year of presidency, he saw the introduction of the professional game in the county. You could say he declared the game open.

"He had that thing about him to inspire people to do things that they wouldn't do normally and become better players because of it.

"He never gave up work. He worked tirelessly for Cornwall and for rugby."

Bill Bishop was well-known throughout the county

Mr Bishop also chaired the county's Sunrise Appeal, which raised more than £1m towards the Sunrise Centre clinical oncology department at the Royal Cornwall Hospital.

Sunrise Centre and Oncology Manager Janet Shepherd said: "Bill chaired the appeal since we launched it in 2000. He was so well-known and loved by people in Cornwall, and that was a major factor in the success of the appeal.

"Everywhere he went, people know him. It was fantastic.

"He had such a great sense of humour and entertained us all with such sparkle."

RFU management board chairman Graeme Cattermole said: "Bill Bishop was an institution in Cornish rugby."

"He was a great friend and servant of rugby union, and although based in the South West, travelled across the country on behalf of the game.

"He will be sadly missed, both in his home county and throughout the game."