It is with a heavy heart that I am writing to let you know that Bryan Long, an Honorary Life Member of Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Football Club passed away in the early hours of this morning following a short illness. Bryan passed away in the bosom of his family, with his wife Lyn, his sons Chris and Matt (a former player and club captain), their wives and his grandchildren.

Bryan was a rugby man through and through. He played for Bristol as a young man, coached throughout Gloucestershire for many years and watched with pride as Matt plied his rugby talents at Newcastle Falcons, Moseley and Bees. When the club encountered its financial difficulties in 2009, Bryan joined the management team as one of two wise men (the other being the late Paul Davidson, father of Alex) and helped keep us on the straight and narrow. For nigh on ten years, Bryan rarely missed a management meeting, saw most games (home and away) - whether Matt was playing or not - and acted as the club's representative with the RFU and NCA. All this was done despite having to travel from his family home near Ross-on-Wye, a stone's throw from Cinderford. To the end he followed the Bees' results and progress continuously and was always keen to get news from Portway.

Funeral details are not yet known but will be posted here in due course.

He will be sadly missed and happily remembered. May he rest in peace.

Chris Loughran
Vice President
Birmingham & Solihull Rugby Football Club