COVENTRY Rugby have paid tribute to stalwart forward of the club’s 1970s golden era side Barry Ninnes who has died at the age of 77.
Ninnes made 348 appearances for Coventry between 1969 and 1981 and also represented Warwickshire and the Midlands.
He also won an England cap in the Five Nations against Wales in 1971.
The Cornish-born powerhouse featured in a Cov side considered one of the country’s leading forces at the time.
Only 13 players have represented Coventry on more than 300 occasions since 1945.
A back injury forced Ninnes to retire and he returned to Cornwall where he coached local side St Ives.
He moved to Yorkshire in his later years and was a regular visitors when Coventry travelled north.
Ninnes also occasionally returned to Butts Park Arena for reunion events.
Former teammate, Les Cambell said: “Such sad, sad news. ‘Barny Nunes’ was such a lovely man.
“He was quiet until the job had to be done then he and Ian Darnell RIP were the best around.”
Former Coventry skipper Lee Johnson added: “Such sad news. A privilege and a pleasure to have played with him. Such a lovely person too.
“That wonderful Cornish tone with be sorely missed. RIP Barry.”
