It is with heavy hearts we share the news that our former 1st XV Coach, Ian Gittens, passed away earlier this week, leaving a huge legacy in the rugby community of North Staffordshire and beyond. Our sincerest condolences go to Sarah, his daughters and wider family.

Ian was so much an influential part of Stoke and Leek rugby clubs over the years. Having played at Sale, he moved to Stoke and played five seasons there with the likes of Tosh Askew and Simon Robson and ensured the Potteries side played at national league level.

Following retirement from playing the game, he had a spell with Longton as a coach, before a much longer and successful spell at Macclesfield.

Having departed the Cheshire side, it coincided with Leek advertising for a paid coach for the first time. Ian was interviewed at the Plough Inn at Endon after Leek President, Ian Spicer advised that Leek’s ambition was to be the highest placed club in Staffordshire.

Ian took the job at the start of the 2011/12 season with Leek in Midlands West 2 North. He quickly established a great rapport with the players and officials of the club and with his teaching background, he gave the Moorlanders an organisational structure that was to lay the foundation for success over the coming years.

After finishing fifth in his first season and then fourth in 2012/13, what happened next was to define the club forever, as Ian coached and led the club to the Midlands 2 championship and the RFU Intermediate National Cup Final at Twickenham.

It was a season that every member of the club will remember and Ian’s leadership was fundamental to achieving those remarkable goals.

He continued for another couple of seasons and then helped Linley on an ad hoc basis, but his lasting legacy is to know that Leek stands as the highest ranked club in Staffordshire by league position at this moment in time and is due in no small part to Ian’s contribution.

May he rest in peace and may he look down with pride on his wonderful achievements at Leek RUFC.

Please join us in a minute’s silence before today’s games in Ian’s memory.