TRIBUTES have been paid to a Tynedale businessman and talented all-round sportsman who died at the age of 67.

David Carr, known equally for his achievements on the rugby pitch as his businesses in the motor trade in Hexham and Corbridge, died on April 4 after a battle with cancer.

The larger than life character, who played for Tynedale, Gosforth and was only denied England caps through injury, was diagnosed with lymphoma around six months ago.

Former director of rugby at Tynedale Rugby Club, John Shotton described David as one of the most exciting players he had ever seen on the pitch.

“He was a personal friend of mine for 45 years. He was one of those people you thought was indestructible,” he said.

“He was six foot four and a half and quick as lightning. The type of player people wanted to see. He just had an aura about him.

“You couldn’t have met a nicer man. He will be hugely missed.”

Born in Corbridge, David went to prep school in Seascale and then Rossall School in Lancashire, where he toured the West Indies playing cricket.

He returned to the district as a powerful 18-year-old and began playing rugby for Tynedale – initially as a forward wearing a number eight shirt – but truly found his feet when he began playing on the wing.

He was introduced to the motor trade through the family car body shop and dealership on Princes Street in Corbridge.

And he went on to run car dealerships under the family name in Hexham; on Station Road, Haugh Lane and the former Broadway Garage in the town’s west end.

In his early 20s, David went on to play for Gosforth, and helped the team secure the John Player Cup twice in the 1970s.

He also proved a formidable opponent on the pitch in many a county championship game.

His talent earned him England trials but he narrowly missed out on representing the country in 1972 after leaving a North-Eastern Counties game against the All Blacks at Bradford with a broken arm. He was also offered a chance to play rugby league at Wigan.

But David’s playing hopes were scuppered when he suffered a detached retina during a game which led to him losing his sight in one eye.

It was then he applied his knowledge to coaching and spent many happy seasons working with the first team at Tynedale.

Another of his great loves was breeding racehorses – something he learned from his parents who bred the 1979 Hennessy Gold Cup and Scottish Grand National winner ‘Fighting Fit’.

From his home at East Peterel Field Farm, which borders Hexham Racecourse, he enjoyed his own success with ‘Takamaka Bay’ which won the 12 furlong Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2001.

David leaves his wife of 44 years, Susan, their children Ben and Lucy, and four granddaughters.

His funeral took place at St Andrew’s Church in Corbridge on April 14. A collection in lieu of flowers raised almost £2,000 for the charity Bright Red, which is run from Newcastle’s Freeman Hospital to support people fighting blood cancer.