Tom Battersby ran the Sir Richard Peel in Queen’s Crescent

TOM Battersby, once a successful Gaelic football player and decent with pool cue in hand, decided one night to use his other sporting talents in aid of a darts club.

Mr Battersby, who passed away aged 65 last week, ran the Sir Robert Peel in Queens Crescent and one day, having noticed how badly the pub’s women’s darts team were doing, decided he would help redress the balance.

Donning a wig and women’s clothes, he appeared pretending to be a darts newcomer and asked politely if he could have a game.

None of his regulars recognised the new player – who proceeded to clean up on the oche, giving the Peel team a rare victory.

He went back upstairs, got changed and came back to the bar as if nothing had happened. No one was any the wiser. Such stories are plentiful about Tom.

The publican was born in Dublin in 1957, and came from a family of farmers. One of six siblings, it gave him a lifelong love of animals, nature and the countryside.

Tom showed a natural talent for Gaelic football, representing his county and he was destined for a professional career, before a knee injury forced him to retire.

He was also a performer and a singer, winning “The Top of the Town” talent contests. This passion never left him.

He moved to London in 1987. The Irish economy was struggling and he got a job driving buses. It was not always straight-forward, his family remember.

One time Tom had an argument with his conductor, which ended with Tom tossing his co-worker the keys in Trafalgar Square, telling him he could drive if he wanted.

Abandoning his vehicle with passengers on board could have been the end of his job. Such was his charm, his managers forgave him.

Tom found a natural calling running pubs, and brewery Star Pubs made him their go-to man in if they had a pub that needed a fresh start.

He owned the Sir Robert Peel in Queen’s Crescent and another in Woodford on long leases, and had a hand in at least 10 others.

Tom had taken on the Peel two decades ago and turned it from being described as fairly rough and ready into a home from home for the community.

He fostered a sense of belonging among staff and regulars, making extended families. Every pub he looked after had that vibe – and the Peel is the perfect example.

His partner, Bev Smith, who worked alongside him, said: “The pub reflects the publican. People look out for each other here and Tom was all about that. He never let an excuse go for a do – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween – he’d get the DJ in and put up the decorations.”

One of his many quirks was a penchant for reading glasses – even though, his family say, he did not really need them.

“He would have a pair on his head, on his nose and round his neck,” recalls daughter Amanda. “He would leave hundreds everywhere.”

Liverpool Football Club and racing were constants, but he did not enjoy success with horse-owning syndicates.

“They were always terrible,” recalls Bev. One called Grey Atlantic Way was tipped, so Tom travelled to watch the race. Back home, The Peel was packed with regulars with large bets placed. The horse came a distant last. “Tom got hundreds of messages winding him up that day,” Bev joked. “It was very funny.”

Regulars forgave him.

Tom had six children, and loved his grand­children so much he would joke he wished he had had them before his own. Family say he was an Irish Del Boy.

Bev recalled: “He liked to wheel and deal. He was a loveable rogue who cared. If someone was on the ground he’d be the first to pick them up.”

Five years ago, Tom was diagnosed with cancer. He was told the prognosis did not look good, but responded well.

“He would never stop,” recalls his daughter, Aisling.

“He was as strong as a ox, and we are thankful that kept him with us for as long as possible.