By John Wilkinson
THE club is saddened to report the loss of former captain and coach Ian Darnell, who has died following a lengthy illness, aged 66.
A true workhorse of a second row forward, Darnell made his debut for Cov in the 1969-70 season and played until a serious knee ligament injury forced him to hang up his boots in 1978, making a total of 248 club appearances and scoring 18 tries.
He also played 34 games for Warwickshire, captaining the County, and was in the Midland Counties (West) side that played Australia on their 1975-76 tour.
A Coventry police inspector, he coached the first team for a spell in the 1980s.
The club offers its condolences and deepest sympathy to Ian’s family.
