Colin William McFadyean. 1943-2025. BGS 1957-1962.

Notice written by Colin's son, Ian McFadyean and wife Jeanette.

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Lion #450, former BGS pupil, Bristol, Moseley and England rugby international, Colin McFadyean (my father) this afternoon [15 March 2025], 4 days after his 82nd birthday and very shortly before Wales vs. England kicked off.

Current England rugby captain, Maro Itoje even sent Colin a very special message to mark the occasion earlier this week.

Jeanette (wife) and Ian McFadyean (son)

Funeral Details

Colin McFadyean’s funeral will be at 2.15 pm on Thursday 24th April @ Memorial Woodlands near Bristol. There will be an unattended Cremation at Westerleigh Crematorium afterwards, but the ceremony and reception/wake after will all be at Woodlands. We will have the venue for the afternoon until 5.30 pm. We would be delighted to see you there to celebrate Colin’s life and his multitude of achievements.

Please contact us directly if you would like to attend so that we can ensure that we cater sufficiently. 

With best wishes to you all.

Jeanette & Ian McFadyean imcfadyean@tmhcc.com

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Colin William McFadyean was born in Devon, but he was educated at Bristol Grammar School where he played at outside half and represented Bristol Public & Grammar Schools. In 1962 he was a member of the BGS squad which reached the semi-final of the Rosslyn Park Sevens, and earlier in the same year he was involved in an extraordinary match at the Grammar School’s Golden Hill ground. On February 24th, with St Paul’s College Cheltenham having cried off their fixture with Bristol United, the United arranged to play Bristol Grammar School instead. One of the school’s forwards, future Bristol player David Woodward, left the field with an injured eye after just five minutes (a substitute was allowed in the second half) but thanks chiefly to the brilliance of Colin and his half back partner David Perkins, another future Bristol player, the United were given the fright of their lives. They eventually scraped home by just two points to win 13-11, and Colin was narrowly wide with a conversion attempt late in the game which might have achieved a draw.  

PHOTOS

To find more references to Colin and others, please visit our Digital Archive. 

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