Chalkie White
Encyclopedia
Herbert Victor "Chalkie" White (16 January 1929 — 24 January 2005) was an English rugby union player and later coach, instrumental in the success of Leicester Tigers
.
White was born in Carlisle and served in the Royal Navy
before becoming a schoolteacher. He played scrum-half for Old Creightonians, Penzance & Newlyn
, Camborne RFC
and Leicester Tigers
before his career was ended after he was diagnosed with Ménière’s disease and lost his sense of balance.
He thus turned to coaching Leicester, while teaching at Nottingham High School
. At this time the game was still amateur, and coaching frowned upon as "cheating", but White installed a professional attitude at Leicester. This took the Tigers to John Player Cup wins in 1979, 1980 and 1981, and losing finalists in 1978 and 1983 (at the time the cup was the only organised competition). The Leicester team including such luminaries as Paul Dodge
, Peter Wheeler and Clive Woodward
. Woodward would later coach England to victory in the 2003 World Cup.
White was never appointed England coach, England preferring instead Mike Davis, probably because of White's outspoken views. Instead he became divisional technical administrator to the South West region, based in Taunton.
He died at age 76 in 2005 from vascular dementia.Times Obituary
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
.
White was born in Carlisle and served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
before becoming a schoolteacher. He played scrum-half for Old Creightonians, Penzance & Newlyn
Cornish Pirates
The Cornish Pirates are an English professional rugby union team who play in the Championship, the second level of the English rugby union pyramid, and are the premier Cornish rugby club. Formerly known as Penzance & Newlyn Pirates, the Cornish Pirates play their home games and train at their...
, Camborne RFC
Camborne RFC
Camborne RFC were established in 1878, and are one of the most famous rugby union clubs in Cornwall. They currently play in the Western Counties West division and their club colours are Cherry and White...
and Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
before his career was ended after he was diagnosed with Ménière’s disease and lost his sense of balance.
He thus turned to coaching Leicester, while teaching at Nottingham High School
Nottingham High School
Nottingham High School is a British boys' independent school situated about a mile north of Nottingham city centre. It has around 900 pupils from ages 11 to 18 and there is the adjoining Nottingham High Junior School catering for younger boys and, from September 2008, the Lovell House...
. At this time the game was still amateur, and coaching frowned upon as "cheating", but White installed a professional attitude at Leicester. This took the Tigers to John Player Cup wins in 1979, 1980 and 1981, and losing finalists in 1978 and 1983 (at the time the cup was the only organised competition). The Leicester team including such luminaries as Paul Dodge
Paul Dodge
Paul William Dodge is a former English rugby union international footballer who gained 32 caps for his country between 1978 and 1985. His Leicester Tigers career earned him 436 appearances....
, Peter Wheeler and Clive Woodward
Clive Woodward
Sir Clive Ronald Woodward OBE is an English former rugby union player and coach. He was coach of the team from 1997 to 2004, managing them to victory in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He is currently the British Olympic Association's Director of Elite Performance.-Early life:Woodward was born in Ely...
. Woodward would later coach England to victory in the 2003 World Cup.
White was never appointed England coach, England preferring instead Mike Davis, probably because of White's outspoken views. Instead he became divisional technical administrator to the South West region, based in Taunton.
He died at age 76 in 2005 from vascular dementia.Times Obituary