Bob was a previous Head Boy at Redcliffe School who was Captain of the School Rugby Team in the 1950’s. He was selected for a final England Trial for England School boys but unfortunately picked up a serious back injury a couple of weeks before the final trial and despite extensive physio support and strapping from friends of the school he was not able to play in the trial to the best of his ability and was not selected – a huge disappointment for him.

He went on though to play for the Army (was offered professional terms to play Rugby League in the North but turned it down – in those days playing Rugby League would lead to a ban from playing Rugby Union) and made some appearances for Bristol United and was Captain of Old Reds in the 1960’s. He was a contemporary of Ernie Collings, Alan Lancastle, Keith ‘Tootsie” Warren and many other players in that era playing as a hooker and was instrumental in helping to build the clubhouse at Scotland Lane in the 1960’s and regularly ran the bar. His last game was for Old Reds in the Somerset Cup Final against Bath in the early 1970’s.

Bob also achieved off the field, becoming a Director of the Royal Mint and being awarded a CBE for services to coinage. He was a Bedminster and Knowle West Boy but always remembered his roots. He attended the Twickenham Final which Old Reds reached a number of years ago and has always been proud of what the club has achieved over the years.

He is the Captain holding the ball in the attached team photo.

Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.