We have received the sad news that former Harrogate Rugby Club member, Brian Shenton, sadly died on Tuesday 19th March 2024. A few months ago he moved to live in Leighton Buzzard to be nearer his family. He was receiving end of life care in Milton Keynes.

Over many years Brian made an enormous contribution to Harrogate and Yorkshire Rugby.
He was born April 11th 1940 in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire and from the age of eleven played rugby for his school, St. Joseph’s College, Stoke on Trent. In the 1960s he played for his Birmingham College team and Birmingham United RUFC. From 1967 to 1969 Brian worked in New York and played rugby for Manhattan RFC which included tours to the Bahamas, Bermuda and South America.

Following spells with Orrell, Streatham-Croydon and Mitcham he came to Harrogate in 1981 and coached the junior section until 1988. From 1985 - 1991 Brian became a referee with the Yorkshire Referees Society. He was also involved with various committee roles for the Yorkshire RFU from 1986 and became Yorkshire RFU President for the 2003/2004 season.

One of many highlights in Brian’s rugby career happened on Saturday 5th October 1991 when the Yorkshire RFU hosted the England World Cup Squad for a training session at Claro Road, the home of Harrogate RUFC. A full programme of activities was organised for the day including a coaching clinic for Harrogate’s junior players, a training session for the England Squad, junior matches for King James’s School, Knaresborough and Northallerton School followed by television screenings of international games after lunch in the clubhouse.

For the 2009/2010 season Brian was voted HRUFC Touchline International of the Year.
We send our condolences to Brian’s family with grateful thanks for all he has done for rugby football.

(Brian Forshaw)