I would just like to say thank you to all at the club for the lovely messages and cards we have received; and to all who were able to pay their respects on Friday. I know how much Dad loved his many years at the club whether player, looking after the 4th team aka the riff- raff, or watching on a Saturday and helping on a Wednesday morning. We hope to hold a memorial service with a proper do afterwards at the club once restrictions are lifted, although we are unable to give any timescales at present. Dad made many long and happy friendships at the club, and we look forward to being able to visit the club in better times.

Yours faithfully

Michael & Vanessa Whitcombe

Brian's Funeral will be on Friday 22nd January 2021 at St Luke's Church, East Morton at 11:30am followed by cremation at Nab Wood at 12:40pm.
Because of government restrictions under the Covid pandemic, the number of people allowed to attend is limited and so attendance is by invitation only.
For those wanting to pay their respects to Brian the funeral cortege will leave David Gallagher's at 11am (to be confirmed) and will proceed via Keighley RUFC. All those wishing to attend the club should park in the top car park and line the driveway, socially distanced, as the cortege travels down into the lower car park (please do not park there), circles round and back out on its journey to Morton.
The family have asked that anyone wishing to make a contribution in lieu of flowers, should visit David Gallagher's web site
http://www.david-gallagher.co.uk/
and click on the 'Tributes and Donate' button on the light grey bar of their home page.. Then please enter Brian Whitcombe in the name box in order to gain access to the unique donation page.
All donations received will go to Manorlands Hospice in his memory.

Keighley RUFC are extremely saddened to report that Brian passed away at home in his sleep last Friday/Saturday night (1/2 January 2021), aged 86.
We send our sincere condolences to his son, Michael, and family at this truly sad time.

Originally from Cardiff, the Whitcombe family moved north, when Brian (who was only 1 year old) & Frank's father, Frank Snr, signed professional forms to play rugby league for Broughton Rangers in Manchester in 1935. Following a transfer to Bradford Northern in 1938, the Whitcombe family set up home in Wibsey. Brian and his brother played for Sedbergh Boys RL Club in their early teens but Frank Senior thought that they would be better playing rugby union for Bradford at Lidget Green, so he took them there, where they played for many years.
Following the sudden death of their father in 1958, the family took over the running of the Airedale Heifer at Sandbeds and, in the early 1960s, Brian had a disagreement with Bradford RFC and so moved to play for Keighlians in 1965, where he mainly played No6 but also as a prop forward.
He retired in season 1969-70 but remained heavily involved with the club. He used to train players on club training nights and refereed the Colts on a Sunday morning. He also took over managing the 4th XV for a 10 year spell.

In work, Brian was in the printing industry, where he initially worked as a bookbinder and then at Sun Street Printers when they moved to Keighley. He would joke that that was where he learned to sweep up, which stood him in good stead when he joined the Wednesday Morning Gang at Utley.

He was married to Doreen until her untimely death and they had one son Michael.

In latter years he was a regular member of the Wednesday Morning Gang and also a gateman collecting entrance fees for 1st XV games.

He will be sadly missed by many people who saw him as a friendly person and a true gentleman, who always had time for a chat with you. How well he was regarded is demonstrated on the Club Facebook page, where over 50 people have posted their tribute to him and their memories.

For further information about Brian click on the link:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Whitcombe

Details of Funeral Arrangements will be posted when they are known but, as with most funerals in the current pandemic, it is most likely to be a private family only event.