We’re back!

We have a big weekend coming up with games for the 1st XV, Crusaders, and Colts all back in league action.
Join us at Astley Park for the 1st XV game against Lydney at 2.30pm.
Crusaders are away to Plymstock 2nd XV also at 2.30pm
The Colts kick off at home again Okehampton Colts XV at 2pm

Robert (Bob) Houston – RIP

With deep sadness, we acknowledge and announce the passing of another Brixham Rugby Club stalwart and character.

Bob Houston sadly passed away on Saturday evening. Bob had been unwell for a while but was at the club even up to Wednesday last week.

Bob has been a big part of Brixham RFC on and off the field for well over 40 years. Originally, Bob played for Torquay Tics in the 1970’s, but following an invitation from Ralph Gardner to play in a charity game at Brixham, he soon moved his allegiance to Brixham. Bob was a good prop and it was not long before he became a first team regular in the 70’ & 80’s.

In 1985, Bob was part of the ‘Legendary’ team that played and beat Bath, who were the English Champions, unbeaten for 18 months and included 11 internationals at the time. Ray Gardner recalls that in the bar after the game, the England prop Gareth Chilcott “congratulated the Brixham veteran prop” (we think he was around 42 then!) Bob that night on his great performance. Bob continued to play first team and later became a key individual who set up and ran the very successful ‘F Troop’, a social rugby team that played a key part in the club including many from Brixham as well as other ‘older’ players from across the bay, that Bob would meet as part of his role as a ‘bouncer’ in the Torbay night clubs and would encourage them to join the team. F Troop had a big influence in the social life of the club and brought revenue and atmosphere to the club during the 90’s. One extra benefit for the young Brixham (and not so young) players was that he would keep an eye on them whilst out on the town in Torquay and get them to the front of the queue!

Bob also served the club off the field as Club Captain and for a number of years was very instrumental in arranging social events that were very popular at the time. He became the Honorary Secretary and was key in running the club and its progression and growth. Outside of rugby Bob, as well as a local bouncer his real job was as a legal secretary. He brought his knowledge and experience to benefit the club and members of the club on many occasions.

One key time that many will remember was in the mid-1980’s, when Brixham RFC was ‘banned from playing any competitive rugby by the Devon RFU for poor discipline’ and along with Danny Irvine, Bob, who was working in London at the time worked tirelessly in our appeal with the RFU. His knowledge, experience and determination and with Danny’s tenacity came good on the day and RFU supported our appeal and we received a lesser sanction and rugby resumed.

Bob was awarded the highest honour that we as a club can bestow and was made an Honorary Life Member in 2007, celebrating and acknowledging his long and faithful service to Brixham RFC.

Latterly, Bob has been part of the group that has re-introduced the weekly Euchre activity and has enjoyed playing with other seniors in the club and was part of the team last week.

As a club, we want to send our condolences, thoughts and prayers to Bob’s family and all his close friends in and outside of Brixham RFC. We give thanks for another Brixham Rugby Club legend and say goodbye as he goes over the posts for the last time.

He was a well-respected and loved member at the club and will be missed by us all. We will hold a minute silence at this week’s home first team game against Lydney and the club flag will fly at half-mast until the day of his funeral.