Brian left King Edward’s Aston in 1952. In due course he would return for a spell as Head of English before his career took him to promotions elsewhere in the city. Later he was an industrious governor at the School.

After university (LSE – whose garish tie he was fond of sporting) and an RAF commission for National Service he came back to Birmingham and never left again.

He had learned rugby from the legendary Watcyn Thomas and could still, even as dementia ambushed his short-term memory, tell tales of Watcyn with ardour. A County player in his school days, Brian played for AOE at any level that wanted him and in a variety of positions. He made his last appearance as a fifty-five-year-old replacement for the third team at Nuneaton Old Edwardians, a third XV which that day had the luxury of England international Jacko Page playing scrum-half.

Brian’s philosophy was that if a game is worth playing then it is worth playing badly and as Match Secretary nothing pleased him more than those rare and happy Saturdays when the club fielded six teams. For his decades of committee service Brian was made an Honorary Life Vice President of the rugby club – he was modestly exhilarated by that honour.

He wrote the centenary history of the School and six years later penned the centenary history of the rugby club. That latter history was selected in The Times as one of their correspondent’s favourite rugby books of the year.

At fifty-five and now retired from playing rugby Brian turned his attention to AOE cricket. He played up to his eighth decade. His eccentric commitment to cricket saw him proffering a pinch of snuff to his teammates at the fall of each wicket. He had a penchant for manufacturing his own equipment, including a protective box fashioned from an ice-cream tub, and a (presumably illegal) lead-filled bat. He served the cricket club as committee man and as a 2nd XI captain and enjoyed the rare accolade of having been Clubman of the Year in both sporting sections. He also served a term as Association President.

Player, administrator, general dogsbody, officer, gentleman, writer, artist, friend – he would turn his hand to most things in the service of the sports clubs he loved. Brian Roberts, Aston Old Edwardian.

The funeral of Brian Roberts will take place on Monday 3 February at 11.00 am at Erdington United Reformed Church, Holly Lane, Erdington, Birmingham, B24 9JS. Afterwards at Moor Hall Hotel. Family flowers only. Donations in memory to Alzheimer's Research UK, 3 Riverside, Granta Park, Cambridge, CB21 6AD.