It is with deep sadness that we were informed of the passing of Joe Upritchard, former player, Captain, Chairman, Honorary Life Member, and Trustee of Bangor Rugby Football and Cricket Club, on 6th December 2023 at the age of 97.

Joe joined Bangor Rugby Club in 1945 after leaving Bangor Grammar School. He was a committed wing forward and captained the 1sts, 2nds, and 3rds when Bangor was a Junior Rugby Club and played their home games at Ward Park. Joe retired from playing in 1964 in his late 30s at a time when Bangor aspired to become a Senior Rugby Club in Ulster again. Joe willingly took on the role of Club Chairman, having served as Vice-Chairman since 1962, and was soon instrumental in driving the Development Appeal to raise funds to purchase and develop the Club's new grounds at the Primacy. The effort that went into this undertaking was immense, and Joe, along with the late Ronnie Boston, drove this task to its successful completion. The Club raised more than £28000, much of that money coming through the generosity of the people of Bangor and the hard work of the Club’s members. Joe was the original Volunteer Coordinator of that era, inspiring, motivating and cajoling every member of the Club to help with the Appeal. He did so with the full support of his wife Betsy and his children Joanne, Warren, and Lea. The new grounds, named Upritchard Park in April 1968 by the Club Council ‘to perpetuate Joe’s superlative efforts for the Club over the previous twenty years’, were officially opened in September 1969 following Bangor's successful application to become a Senior club again. Joe subsequently played a less prominent role in the affairs of the Club, but coached the junior teams into the early 1980s before becoming President of one of the most successful Rugby Clubs in Ireland at the time during the Centenary year of 1985.

The development of Upritchard Park was the foundation on which rugby in Bangor and North Down grew to the highest level in amateur sport throughout the 1970s and 1980s. It has inspired community participation and outstanding success in the sport, and contributed to the development of players and coaches who have excelled at the highest level, not only during the amateur era, but also into the professional era. It continues to do so today as the home of Bangor Rugby Football and Cricket Club, providing facilities for playing and participation in rugby and cricket at all levels within our community. It was fitting that, in March 2020, some fifty years after the opening of Upritchard Park, Joe was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by Ards and North Down Borough Council for services to Bangor Rugby Club.

Although very frail in recent months, Joe attended this season’s home AIL game against Clonmel in October, which regrettably was to be his last. Joe’s legacy is not only Upritchard Park, but his lifelong and enthusiastic support of this Club. What a Clubman, what a gentleman, what a leader, and what an inspiration for today’s and tomorrow’s generations of players, coaches, and volunteers.

We extend our deepest sympathy to Joe’s children Joanne, Warren, and Lea, and to the wider family circle.

A Service of Thanksgiving will be held in Bangor Methodist Church, Rathmore Road on Thursday 14th December 2023 at 11:30am, with refreshments immediately afterwards in the church hall. There will a private family cremation later that afternoon, and Joe's ashes will be interred privately in the family grave a few days later.