Dare we hope? We dare.
Can we hope? We can.
Should we hope? We must.
We must, because to do otherwise is to waste the most precious of gifts, given so freely by God to all of us. So when we do die, it will be with hope and it will be easy and our hearts will not be broken.
- Andy Ripley, 10 June 2007, Athlone Friary.
Andy Ripley has always been my sporting hero. After I had recovered from my from my first brush with cancer and had started playing competitive sport again, I switched on the TV one Saturday in 1972 and England were playing one of the Home Internationals – I can’t remember which one, and a tall, long-haired, hippy-like character was playing number 8 in the white shirt. His name was Andy Ripley. Well, from what I remember, England were rubbish, but every time Andy got the ball in his hands, I experienced a thrill of excitement. He was full-on commitment and 100 percent energy. I’ll never forget his trademark running style as he ate up the ground with that high knee-lift sprinting action of his. From that moment, I decided that I would make rugby my number one sport, and model my play, and my playing philosophy, on his. He was an inspiration, and I avidly followed every game he featured in, especially relishing the one in ’74, when Andy scored the winning try against Wales – the first time England had beaten them since 1960. He was also the star of the inaugural Sevens World Cup at Murrayfield in ’73, which England won, and during which Andy ran the length of the field to score one particularly memorable try!
Now I never even got near to the dizzy heights of sporting perfection that Andy Ripley managed in his long illustrious career, but he remained a major source of motivation for me, and was one of the reasons why I carried on playing competitive rugby until I was 50. In fact, it was just after I had played my last non-veterans game that I heard Andy had been diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 57.
I couldn’t believe it! Here was a man who was a super fit sporting machine. Just a few of his achievements – 24 caps for England between ’72 and ’76, part of the Lions squad to tour South Africa in ’74 ( although he was kept from the test number 8 jersey by Merv ‘the Swerve’ Davies who later said Andy was the best and most awkward number 8 he had ever played against), played rugby for Rosslyn Park until the age of 41, was World Champion on the TV competition ‘Superstars’ in 1980, reached the semi-finals of the AAA 400 metres, still holds the World indoor rowing records for the 50-55 and 55-60 age groups, nearly got a Cambridge rowing blue in his fifties, and was the supreme all – rounder, also excelling in swimming and sailing.
The only reason Andy Ripley found out about his cancer was when he was taken to hospital suffering from chest pains, and was found to have suffered a pulmonary embolism while walking his dog. A routine PSA test was ordered, and his reading was 133, when it should have been no more than 4. He eventually had a biopsy and was confirmed as having inoperable prostate cancer. His treatment consisted of hormone and therapy and radiation, which seemed to be effective, and in 2007 he was declared clear. Unfortunately, the celebrations were short-lived, and the cancer returned with a vengeance in 2008. His first adverse PSA was in August of that year when it went from 0.7 to 7, and by February 2010 had reached 7,000, rendering him blind. He received his OBE from Price Charles in May 2010, just before he passed away on June 17th, aged 62. The ultimate superhero, who, I believe, would have played many more times for England if the ‘old farts’ hadn’t taken a dislike to his maverick looks and playing style. He last played for England in 1976, finally losing his place to Roger Uttley, who was himself a great player, and who went on to become England captain.
Where is all this going? Well, Andy Ripley made me aware of the risks and the tests that you should have, and although I was diagnosed with prostate cancer at the age of 55, I hope I’ve caught it in time. Cheers, Andy, your influence lives on!
In my next post I’ll tell you my own experiences of prostate cancer, and give my humble advice on the subject to all you veterans rugby players who are hoping to live long enough to enjoy their retirement.
Comment By: Philip Burt
November 2nd, 2010 at 21:22 Philip Burt(Quote)
I too can thank Andy. I read his story in 2005 in the Sunday Times. I had enough reasons to curse his wonderful performances against us Scots at Murrayfield. But I owe him so much more.
I realised I had the same symtoms and had been afraid to seek help. I did though and at 55 I too was diagnosed with prostate cancer. I had surgery to remove my prostate and eventually was given the all-clear.
I had the good luck to take part in a radio 5 live phone-in in 2008 where Andy was the guest. A wonderful experience. I felt privelleged to be able to thank him personally. I was very saddened to hear of his so untimely death.