He was RFU Chairman from 1996-8 to 1998, having previously been Staffordshire’s coach and their RFU Committee member since 1989.
Benjamin Clifford Brittle, known to all as Cliff, played centre for Longton High School, Old Longtonians, Stoke on Trent and Sale as well as for Staffordshire. He coached Staffordshire U21/23 teams before taking charge of their County Championship squad. He also served on both the Staffordshire Disciplinary and Selection Committees and represented Staffordshire on the Midlands Division, becoming Chairman of the Midlands Division from1986 to 1988.

A successful businessman, with his brother Robert, Cliff ran Bryrob, a Stoke on Trent based plant hire group serving the construction industry until it was sold in 1987and he moved to the Isle of Man. He leaves a brother, Robert and sister, Gillian.
The former England and British Lions prop Fran Cotton, who was Lancashire representative on the RFU Council and a member of the RFU’s Management Board, said: “Cliff had rugby close to his heart and cared deeply about the game at every level.

“He was impatient to secure the best for English rugby and all involved in it at the very difficult time when the game went professional. I am sure many of us will remember him as a visionary and as a true friend.”
The funeral will take place at 2pm on Friday September 23rd at Douglas Borough Crematorium, with donations for the Isle of Man Hospice. There will be a memorial service in England at a later date to be confirmed.

Cliff Brittle, came to Leek RUFC on Sunday 9th April 2000 to officially open our new clubhouse.