TRIBUTES have been paid to a Hereford raised man who became a rugby legend and earned three Test caps for England.

Alan Brinn, who became a Gloucester rugby legend playing 574 times, has died aged 81.

His father was a manager at Saunders Valve, an engineering company based near Widemarsh Common.

Mr Brinn lived with his family in Winchester Avenue, Tupsley until he got married in the late 1960s when they lived with his wife, Margaret's, family in Whitecross Road before moving to Gloucester in around 1970.

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A strong mobile lock forward Mr Brinn started his rugby career with the Hereford Rugby club back in the late 1950s, before joining Gloucester in 1960, becoming the Cherry and Whites’ all-time leading appearance maker, playing 574 times between 1960 and 1979.

He became chairman of the Gloucester club up to 1996, when the professional era began at Gloucester and after retirement from playing, he became an associate national selector for England Rugby.

After moving to Gloucester, Mr Brinn maintained his association with the Hereford club, he was a popular attender at many club social functions and often appeared for the club in special fixtures, in particular the annual Peter Robbins game.

Mr Brinn was a founder member of the Rings, a social rugby team made up from players from the Gloucester and Hereford clubs.

Hereford Times: Alan Brinn standing centre in Hereford team for the Robbins game September 1962Alan Brinn standing centre in Hereford team for the Robbins game September 1962

Their games were played on Sundays and although social in nature, the rugby was always serious and many Hereford players gained valuable experience playing alongside and against first-class players in these games.