News / Rugby
Crowds turn out for former Bristol Rugby captain’s memorial
A memorial service to honour the life of former Bristol Rugby captain Matt Salter has drawn large crowds to Bristol Cathedral.
Almost every seat was taken in the ceremony on Thursday afternoon, with mourners queueing outside beforehand and spreading into the choir seating.
Salter, who captained the Bristol for four seasons, died aged 49 in March.
He left behind a wife, Charlie, and two children, Isabella and Fergus.
Salter led Bristol Bears for four years from 2004, during one of their most significant periods – photo: Bristol Bears
In a speech during the service, friend John Welch said: “Matt gave 100 per cent to everything he did. He was inspirational to be around and will leave a huge hole in my life and the lives of everyone here today.”
“Matt made life bigger for the people around him. He built things that lasted. He (had) a limitless zest for life.”
Salter enjoyed two spells playing for Bristol, from 1999 to 2003 and again from 2004 to 2009. He made more than 150 appearances for the club, playing primarily as a flanker or lock before ending his professional career in 2009.
Teammate Alex Brown said: “Matt was a formidable rugby man. He gave so much of himself, physically and emotionally.
“Matt was constant, steady, generous and endlessly gave you his time. He was the type of leader everyone needs.”
Appointed captain upon returning to Bristol, Salter’s second spell proved one of the most significant periods in the club’s modern history.
Leading the side through a rebuilding phase following relegation, Salter captained the club to the National Division One title in the 2004/05 season, securing promotion back to the Premiership.
In 2006/07, Bristol finished third in the Premiership and qualified for the Heineken Cup, with Salter named captain of the Guinness Premiership Dream Team around that time.
A letter from Bristol Rugby Consortium read out at the memorial praised Salter’s work elevating the local game.
“Without Matt, Bristol Rugby would not have survived in its current form,” author David Powell said.
Large crowds queued for the memorial service, and filled almost every seat in the cathedral – photo: Jack Davies
After retiring, Salter became director of rugby at Clifton College.
Head of the College Tim Greene remembered him fondly as a happy-go-lucky, charming teacher that students would remember for life.
“Thanks for being such an amazing force for good for all those young lives, and a great deal of older lives that you have shaped,” he said.
A crowdfunder to support Salter’s family has raised over £30,000, with creator Siobhan Brown saying: “Matt has left an unimaginable and insurmountable void in our lives, but most profoundly in the lives of Charlie and their children, who are now navigating life without him.
“Matt was an incredible father, utterly devoted to his children and to the life he built with Charlie, whom he loved dearly.”
Main photo: Molly Pipe
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