It is with great sadness the we announce the untimely death of Max Eason. Max passed away last Saturday whilst out walking in his home village of Brill.
Max was an integral part of Chinnor’s 1st team in the 1970s. It was in this period that Chinnor became a force to be reckoned with in Oxfordshire rugby which culminated in our first ever Oxfordshire Cup victory against Henley at Iffley Road . Henley could not cope with the might and togetherness of the Chinnor pack.
Chinnor’s success was built of a fearsome, physical forward pack and Max was in the centre of this pack. A large, physical second row his cricketing ability also gave him deft handling skills and lineout ability. Max packed down with Big Tony McIntyre and gave the solid foundations for his great mate Richard Christian to rampage from number 8
Max was also the first ever international rugby player to represent Chinnor after representing Bermuda when he was teaching overseas .
Max retired in 1980 after suffering a bad Achilles injury.
He was a regular spectator on match day and often seen in conversation or lunch with the legendary team of 1976/77. Never one to pronounce rugby was better in the old days he was hugely proud of our recent successes and the brand and quality of rugby.
Max was immensely proud to have been selected in Chinnor’s best ever 1st XV on our 50th Anniversary. A worthy and deserved accolade.
Max was also a superb cricketer and was Mr Horspath Cricket Club , a hugely accomplished player , coach, groundsman, administrator and bar manager. Anyone driving by Horspath would invariably see Max out on the mower or roller at anytime.
And of course you would get the most friendly and hospitable welcome if you played or stopped by to watch. There was no escape without having a beer or two and a few stories from Max.
A man who was as big with his humour and time as he was with his physical presence.
Max was a true colossus of Oxfordshire Sport.Max is survived by his wife Sandra and Children Alex, Robbie and Will.
All at Chinnor send our condolences and we’ll miss the great, gentle giant.

The date for Max's funeral is Tuesday, April 9. It will take place at the North Oxfordshire Crematorium and Memorial at 2pm followed by the wake at Horspath Cricket Club.

The address for North Oxford Crematorium is Banbury Road, Tackley, Kidlington OX5 3ER.