Derek Sherlock - Sad News

It is with the utmost sadness that we announce the passing of Derek Sherlock on Friday 6 September. 

Derek was a giant of Yorkshire Rugby and a stalwart of both Sheffield Tigers and Sheffield RUFC. He captained the Tigers First XV in the 71/72 season, when the new 1^st team pitch (now the top pitch) was completed and again in 73/74 and 77/81.  He went on to play for Morley and 249 games for Sheffield RUFC during the 80/90s and represented Yorkshire between 1978-81.  

Derek returned to Tigers to coach the 1^st team and to manage the grounds during the transformational years for the Club around the Millenium, when the current 1^st team pitch was completed and the clubhouse developed.  Most notably, Derek coached the 1^st team to win the Tetley’s Bitter Junior Vase final at Twickenham in 2000, a victory that stimulated the development of Tigers to the team it is today.  His coaching success continued the following season, taking Tigers to their first ever Yorkshire Shield trophy.  He was not just a player and coach, but also a hugely practical supporter of Tigers, raising funding, marking pitches, erecting floodlights and posts amongst many other achievements.

Derek also coached at Dronfield and Chesterfield Panthers and was a constant presence and voice of experience, supporting Tigers coaches at training and games up until the outbreak of Covid.  His wife Jill was a staunch supporter of Derek’s work at the Sheffield clubs and our heartfelt condolences go out to her, their children Alistaire and Emma, and grandchildren Ruby, Fred and Frankie.

He will be sorely missed by his many friends.

There will be a minute's silence before this Saturday's Tigers v Sheffield derby game as a mark of respect.

Funeral arrangements are Monday 23rd September 2024 at 3:30pm at Hutcliffe Wood Crematorium. Afterwards at Sheffield Tigers RUFC Clubhouse.