Known to most of you as Buster he has been one of the fixtures and fittings at Peel Croft for many years. Having played rugby at Burton Grammar School, he was soon introduced to Burton RFC where he played for many years at fly-half, which I sure will be a shock to many of you as you probably thought he’d have been a prop!

Buster was admitted into hospital on Tuesday 21st May, and during this time he wanted to be kept up-to-date with the renovations at the Club, having seen the photographs he joked that it looked a mess and would never be ready for the new season! Each day he asked how many votes we had in the NatWest RugbyForce Pride of the Nation, hoping that Burton would stay at number one, he wasn’t happy to hear we had been knocked off the top spot, so please make sure you vote by clicking on the link below:-

Vote for Burton in Pride of the Nation

He thought it was amusing that the Burton Mail had written a piece about him in Fridays paper, he never thought he’d be the one to make the news, especially page 3! A sports fan for all his life, even yesterday he was anxious to know the score of the first British & Irish Lions game, and which horse had won the Derby, of course he knew it would be one of Aidan O’Brien’s.

Buster tried to put back into the Club what it had given him during his playing days by volunteering for many years in various roles, including Colts Manager, House & Bar Chairman, General Committee Member, Team Secretary, 1st XV Manager and Match Reporter to name a few, giving his all in whatever he took on. His priority was always trying to ensure that as many lads as possible got a game of rugby every Saturday. Towards the end of the season he made the decision that this would be his final one, and stood down from any positions held. How true this was to be.

He wrote a piece for his Friday night column one last time as the season drew to an end:-

By way of a final word I would just like to say a big thank you to all of you who have read this column over the years that I have been putting pen to paper as this week’s will be my final one as I step aside for some younger blood. I have always endeavoured to give an accurate analysis and preview of the club’s fixtures and while there have been occasions when this has upset some people on the whole the comments I have received have been favourable and always appreciated. I would like to thank my wife and family for their support and putting up with my rantings about not getting information as well as other club members whose views I’ve also used to help with the column. Thank you and good-bye, Buster...

He will be missed by many and our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Evelyn and all his Family at this very sad and difficult time.

Royston Bradley RIP
16th October 1948 – 2nd June 2013

If you have any stories or photographs to share, please send them to burtonrugbyclub@sky.com

Royston's funeral will be at 11.30am on Friday 14th June at Ss Mary & Modwen's Catholic Church, Guild Street, Burton upon Trent, followed by committal at Bretby Crematorium.