Note: It was only after the Bees move to Portway that I got to know Alan. As a result I do not know a great deal of Alan’s history & therefore I have had to draw on a disparate range of sources including tributes on Facebook . My apologies for undoubtedly missing out things of significance and possibly publishing incorrect information. If you spot anything of this nature please contact me by email (membership@beesrugby.com) & I will gladly amend this article accordingly.

We at the Club were greatly saddened to hear of the death of Alan ‘Ratters’ Ratcliffe, who leaves behind 3 daughters & 7 grandchildren. Alan had been a long standing supporter of the Bees in its various guises & a player for predecessor club Solihull RFC.

In paying tribute to Alan, Phil Maynard, former Director of Rugby at B&S RFC (‘Bees Mk I’) commented:
‘A good man was Alan, always helpful and positive, a big help to me at my time with Bees.’

While Chris Loughran, owner & chairman of B&S RC (‘Bees Mk II’), & treasurer of the current club, commented:
‘A real gent and committed Bees’ supporter. He was always very supportive of me - if occasionally challenging (from one Northerner to another!).’

What I have been able to glean is that Alan was born on 7 January 1951 in Bolton, where he grew up. Then he went to Nottingham University in the early seventies & studied civil engineering. However he did not pursue this professionally. After leaving university he played rugby union for Huddersfield.

At some stage Alan joined Tarmac Roadstone/Topmix &, I am lead to believe, also worked for RMC (Ready Mixed Concrete).

I am unclear as to when & why Alan moved to the Solihull area but having done so he joined Solihull RFC & played in the 5th/6th team & the vet’s.

I am told Alan had a house in Florida that he generously allowed his teammates to use for a nominal charge.

A fellow player at Solihull was Tim Watts, now Lifetime President of Pertemps, through whom Alan joined Pertemps. My understanding is the Alan became a director there.
Here is a tribute from his time at Pertemps from Tracey E Bovingdon, in whose company Pertemps had invested:
‘such an amazing man … honest … an amazing business man - so supportive … What a legend he was’.

Other information I have garnered is that Alan was also a keen rugby league supporter; former Solihull player & dirt tracker Joe McGinn recalls attending a rugby league cup final with Alan at Wembley Stadium. Also that he was a long standing member of Ladbrook Park Golf Club; for 35 years. Finally, I can say from personal experience Alan very much enjoyed ‘a beer’.

Alan’s family have today published the following information regarding Alan’s funeral:

Friday 18th September at 11:00am
Robin Hood Crematorium
Streetsbrook Road
Shirley, Solihull
B90 3NL

Following the service, please join us for food and refreshments at:
Ladbrook Park Golf Club
Poolhead Lane
Tanworth-in-Arden, Solihull
B94 5ED

Colourful dress is very welcome, please feel free to wear whatever you feel comfortable in.
We'd like to prioritise donations to the clinic that supported Dad via our gofundme page: https://gofund.me/1bff9db3a
but if you'd like to send any floral tributes please contact Thomas Bragg and Sons Funeral Directors, 562 Stratford Rd, Shirley, Solihull B90 4AY

We'd love to collate photos and memories of Dad's life so please feel free to add any you would like to share to this page: https://ratters.muchloved.com
We hope you can join us to remember Dad and share memories of him together.