It is with great sadness that Harbury announce the passing of Club President Ian Holroyd. Ian first joined Harbury in 1976 and played for the club as a ‘utility’ forward up until his retirement from playing in the 1990s. Despite hanging up the playing boots, Ian remained an important member of the club, organising VPs Day Lunches and the then Annual Harbury vs Boddington Cricket match. In 2010 Ian Became Club President (after John Bromley passed) in a role he held for 15 years. Ian met his wife Vicky at the club, and really was part and parcel of Harbury Rugby.

Away from Harbury, Ian was the founder of 'Look Who's Talking', a company which provided top national & international rugby and cricket personalities for after dinner speaking. He managed LWT for some 20+ years and only recently retired, having made many close friendships with top sports' broadcasters and pundits.

Ian Holroyd was a staunch supporter and President of Wooden Spoon - the rugby charity set up to help disabled and disadvantaged children in the UK. He was a founder member of Warwickshire Wooden Spoon set up nearly 20 years ago. For most of this period he was the Chair - helping the charity grow within our county, raising nearly £400,000 and supporting 35 capital projects. These projects range from sensory gardens, libraries, outdoor classrooms, wheelchairs for rugby and woodland walks. His charismatic leadership saw the committee grow and led to the charity having a high and well respected profile in the area. The committee will miss his enthusiasm, support and amazing network of contacts. Ian was a remarkable man who will be sadly missed by all who knew him. There are many children throughout Warwickshire who have cause to thank Ian for the difference he has made to their lives.

Ian was a kind genuine person who has been an ear to listen, a mentor and was always there for advice. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him, and tomorrow's VPs Day will see him remembered by a great number of friends and HRFC Family. There will be a minute's silence before both games, and a glass will be raised in his memory during the lunch tomorrow.

I'm sure many would love the opportunity to say a few words about Ian, and the above was contributed by friends Dave Andrews, Ian and Paul Winchester, and John Collins - Chair of Warwickshire Wooden Spoon.