Robert Allan RIP

Robert Allan R.I.P.

1988 - 2010

It is with the greatest regret that Effingham & Leatherhead RFC announces that club member and 1st XV regular Robert (“Rob”) Allan has died peacefully in his sleep, aged 22, during the week. On behalf of all players and club members Effingham & Leatherhead RFC extends its sincere condolences and deepest sympathies to Rob’s family at this very sad time.

Effingham & Leatherhead RFC players and club members were shocked by Rob’s death. Rob was a regular 1st XV player: having played football and been a successful goalkeeper for Horsley, Bookham, and latterly Kingston, and been an enthusiastic member of Ockham Cricket Club over the last seven years, both bowler and batsman, Rob had become more involved with rugby at Colts level, U17 and U18, and progressed through to IInd XV rugby to become a regular Ist XV player.  At senior rugby level, Rob had made a massive impact on the 1st XV team and also generously provided his time to coach junior teams.

 At the start of last Saturday’s 1st XV league game, the players and spectators gathered for an impeccably observed minute's silence: for the Effingham & Leatherhead players to remember Rob and for all present to reflect, with black armbands prominent. A minute’s silence was also observed at last Saturday’s 1st XV league game between Guildford RFC and London Irish Amateurs RFC, against both of whom Rob had played recently.

On Sunday, a minute’s silence was also observed, by all present, from U6 to U18, at Effingham & Leatherhead RFC’s Browns Lane home, and at venues where away matches were being played. The U17 age group paid their own respects with the release of over 60 balloons with their own tributes written on them: the release was attended by every player and supporter of the U17 age group: a tribute from the whole club to a remarkable person who was taken in his prime. 

Director of Rugby Barry Talbot paid tribute “Our deepest sympathies go out to Rob’s family and friends at this terrible, terrible time. Clearly, everybody at the club is devastated by this news - Rob‘s family has suffered a tragic loss. Rob was a thoroughly nice man, with a great rugby career in prospect: well liked and much respected by both players and club members alike, he will be very much missed. Very much a club man, Rob had been a tremendous player at 1st XV level: an exemplary line out jumper and also possessed of the full range of rugby skills”.

Peter Jackson, U17s manager, also paid tribute “As well as having forced his way into the 1st XV, Rob was at the forefront of an inspirational new generation of rugby coaches being developed at Effingham & Leatherhead RFC. Rob joined the U17 age group last season, predominantly as a line out specialist coach but rapidly became a cornerstone of the age group coaching team. Like other young coaches, Rob had no prior affiliation with the age group; he worked selflessly and gave up his Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings (whatever the weather). Rob moulded the forward units into forces to be reckoned with, which has been reflected in the U17s 1st XV’s  top three finishes in Surrey League One : his thoughtful approach facilitated an ethos of hard work and continuous improvement in the squad – the U17 age group owes Rob a debt of gratitude which sadly it cannot now repay”.