KEIGHLEY RUFC have announced the sad death of Brian Whitcombe, the son of rugby league legend Frank Snr, and brother of Frank Jnr, who played against the All Blacks once for a North of England rugby union representative side.

Brian passed away a few days ago in his sleep at the age of 86.

Keighley posted their own obituary for Brian on their club website, and you can read it below:

Originally from Cardiff, the Whitcombe family moved north, when Brian (who was only one year old) and 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 Snr thought that they would be better off 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.

In the early 1960s, Brian had a disagreement with Bradford RFC and so moved to play for Keighlians (Keighley) in 1965, where he mainly played No 6 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 (a group of volunteers keeping Keighley's ground in good nick).

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

In later 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's Facebook page, where over 50 people have posted their tributes to him and their memories.