A WELL-KNOWN York sportsman and school teacher has died at the age of 79.

Peter Mowbray, who was born in South Bank, lived almost all his life in York.

A pupil at Knavesmire Primary School and Archbishop Holgate's Grammar School, he worked as a surveyor for London North Eastern Railway before going into the Royal Navy. During the Second World War he served in Australia.

After the war he started teaching maths in a night school. He was soon asked to train as a full-time teacher. After a course at Brincliffe Training College in Sheffield, he taught physical education at Barlby Park Grove School and Derwent School, York. For 24 years he taught history at Derwent, taking early retirement in 1985, aged 58.

Mr Mowbray met his wife, Ann, thanks to bad weather. She used to cycle to work, but on rainy days she would catch the same bus as he did.

A keen sportsman, Mr Mowbray played fullback for York Railway Institute Rugby Union Club. He also played for Leeds Chirons.

In the summer, he played for Ovington Cricket Club, which in 1951 became the first - and only - Knavesmire team to win the prestigious Myers and Burnell Cup. He captained Ovington when they won the York Evening League in 1954. He also played for Clifton.

Mr Mowbray leaves a widow, Ann - they would have celebrated their golden wedding later this year - and three children, John, Sarah and Guy, the BBC TV football commentator.

Ann said: "He had a terrific sense of humour. I can see him now, saying: 'What on earth do you want to put me in the paper for?' He was involved with so many people. I've had cards from people I didn't know anything about - people he used to play sports with and old pupils of his from the 1970s."

The funeral service will be held at Osbaldwick Church on Tuesday, January 25 at 12.30pm.

Updated: 12:57 Monday, January 24, 2005