Sadly Alan died on Sunday 5 January.
Our sincere condolences go to his son and daughter, Jon and Kirsti, and their families.
He will be cremated in Leeds where he had been a resident in a care home for some time. The service will be followed by a Celebration of Alan’s life sometime in the spring, probably at the Treebridge Hotel.
Alan was a powerful back row forward who could handle the ball as fluently as a back. He was a member of the team which beat Roundhay in the final of the Yorkshire Cup in 1976, in all making 241 appearances for the 1st team, scoring 78 tries. He played county rugby for Durham.
A couple of rugby stories Alan related to his family.
The highlight of his career was undoubtedly the 1972 game against London Welsh. He scored and the then Welsh and British & Ireland Lion player John Taylor was heard shouting “will someone tackle that [f******] No 7”. John Taylor was Alans opposing number!
He also mentioned trying to tackle JPR Williams. He lined him up and at the last minute JPR swung his hips and Alans head made contact with his hip bone. Alan said it was like being hit with a sledge hammer!
After he ‘retired’ from senior rugby he occasionally turned out for our lower teams, usually in the centre, when it was a pleasure watching him create havoc and mayhem as he destroyed the opposition.
Alan was a Vice President of the club, and served as Membership Secretary.
RIP Alan
