Keighley RUFC will honour one of their favourite sons by naming their stand after Frank Whitcombe.
The memory of the club stalwart, who died last year, will be commemorated and celebrated at their Utley headquarters on Sunday, August 29.
The Frank Whitcombe Memorial Day programme will begin at 1pm, and will embrace both the official naming of the stand and a trio of games.
Two of these will be against neighbours Skipton at first and second XV levels. Frank’s son Martin is coach at Sandylands and his grandson James plays at the club.
Between the two club matches, a game between the Bumble Bees, a recently-established team based at Bradford & Bingley comp-rising players with learning difficulties, and a ‘Friends of Frank’ XV will preceed the official naming of the stand.
A barbecue and live music in the evening will complete the proceedings, with funds generated by the £3 entrance fee being donated towards a Bumbles tour to Wales later in the year.
“Twelve months ago to the week, we held Frank’s funeral and the number of people who came to pay their respects was a testament to the stature of the man and the affection the rugby community had for him,” said Ken Dyson, one of the organising team.
“Sunday, August 29 will be a genuine celebration and we hope there will be plenty of Frank’s friends at the club to make it a fitting occasion.”
Frank was the son of former Bradford Northern and Great Britain international Frank senior.
He played union for Bradford, Yorkshire and the North before helping to form a Colts side at Keighley after he had retired as a player.
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