Cheltenham Town Football Club is saddened hear that another notable player from the immediate post-War years has passed away.
Peter Rushworth, one of the first players to leave the club for a transfer fee when he moved to Division Two Leicester City for £1,500 in 1951, died last week at the age of 87.
Peter is pictured with this group of players shortly before an FA Cup tie at Reading in 1950. He is furthest left in the back row standing next to Lew Horder, who died in Cheltenham last week at 88.
Peter Rushworth was a Cheltenham Grammar School boy who played locally for Rotol FC while working as an engineer's draughtsman. His father Keith was a director and later chairman and president of Cheltenham Town and he first appeared for the reserves as a left winger during season 1947-48.
Peter graduated from the second team to make his Southern League debut against Torquay United Reserves in February 1948 and settled into the left half position over the next three seasons. He signed as a professional in 1949 and athough slight of build, he was a hard working player and good user of the ball. Peter was ever-present during season 1950-51 as the Robins reached the FA Cup first round and finished sixth in the Southern League. His performances eventually drew the attention of bigger clubs and Peter departed for Leicester on 26 November 1951, shortly before team-mates Roy Shiner left for Huddersfield Town and Frank Allcock departed for Bristol Rovers.
Peter spent two years with Leicester but was unable to break into the first team and joined Bournemouth & Boscombe Athletic in June 1953, going on to score once in 88 Division Three South appearances until 1957 when he joined Salisbury. He made 180 Western League appearances until 1964 then he moved into coaching with Poole Town, Bournemouth Poppies and Christchurch. After retiring from full-time football he was employed as a PE teacher at Homefield School in Bournemouth until retiring in 1991.