Players, fans and officials at Keswick Rugby Club were saddened to learn of the death of former chairman Tony Russ who died last month following a short illness.
Tony was born in 1946 in Burton and went on to be a Burton RFC colt in the very early days of that side.
He pursued a career in teaching after studying textile chemistry at Manchester and then physical education at Loughborough College.
Enjoying a stellar career in rugby coaching he was one of the first professional directors of rugby within the union game. He led Saracens into the top-flight in 1989 and from 1990 to ‘96 was the first professional coach for Leicester Tigers during which time the club was league and cup winners.
When Tony arrived at Welford Road, Leicester were serious under achievers despite having won the inaugural Courage title in 1988 and reaching the 1989 cup final. Under Russ, they went on to win the cup in 1993 and reach the ‘94 final, while in the league they were runners-up in 1994 and in his last season became champions again.
Tony was eventually let go by Leicester amidst a controversial decision on his 50th birthday. Tony later enjoyed a season with Ulster; a spell with Waterloo; ending as academy director at Harlequins between 2002 and 2008.
He was a keen bridge player and a former English Bridge Union vice chair. During an interview with the English Bridge Union, Tony said: “I learned bridge in my late teens from my parents who were both club and county players.
“I played for a few years in Staffordshire but then marriage, children and career became more important and I didn’t then play for about 20 years other than staff room games at break and lunch times.
“My career was divided equally into two 20 year segments, the first in teaching PE and sums followed by a complete change. During my teaching career I developed an interest in coaching and in 1990 I became one of the first professional directors of rugby when I joined Leicester Tigers followed by periods at other clubs ending as academy director at Harlequins.
“When I was about 50 I returned to bridge, playing in Leicester, Belfast, Cumbria and Farnham before retirement brought us to Somerset. I was quite quickly invited to join the county committee and was honoured to become chairman.”
Tony and his wife, Tina, moved to Keswick ‘retiring’ to become hoteliers.
While in the town, he offered his services to Keswick Rugby Club and was chairman for a few years. It was Tony who provided the impetus to appoint a full time RDO (rugby development officer).
Tony invited guest speakers, including Dick Greenwood and Dean Richards, to fundraising events. On retiring from his hotel, he and Tina moved to Somerset and did consultancy work for Harlequins.
Tim Green, president at Keswick Rugby Club, said: “We send our condolences to Tina and family at this time.
“Although Tony’s involvement at Keswick Rugby Club was brief, his legacy is evident in much that we do.
“In paving the way for the employment of an RDO, Tony helped strengthen our youth section and forged better relationships between the club and our local schools.
“Much of the work Tony implemented still pays dividends today and we can attribute some of the successes of our junior sides and individuals to his forward thinking and leadership.”
