At Belfast’s Campbell College he was a member of the team the won the prestigious Ulster Cup, where Cecil Pedlow, subsequently to become an Irish and British Lions international, was his centre partner. He moved to Manchester in his early 20s and played for Sale and then Broughton Park, during the period when the ‘Park’ was the major force in the Northern rugby under the later England coach, John Burgess

Generally playing at fly half or inside centre, Frank had good speed and acceleration but, above all, he was a superb passer of the ball, bringing the best out of those around him. Kicking the ball was an anathema to him

Frank was still playing at a high level when the family moved to Tring in 1968, and would have been welcomed at Saracens, Wasps or the then local giants, Aylesbury. However he chose to join the local club, partly due to the newly formed junior sector. With Ken Laidlaw and others he would put in a few hours on Saturday mornings coaching about 30 children before going to play for their respective teams. Steve Kempster and Derek Trusselle were two of the earliest products of a policy which not only has had huge benefits for Tring - reflected in our teams playing today - but was also the first such club organised section for junior rugby in the country

Frank brought rugby 'know- how’ to complement the enthusiasm of the early ‘Alik-a do’s’ -Peter Hutton, Mike Hulme , Stan Wallis, and first team players including Don Dover, Bill Stringer, John Kelly, and a youthful Chris Wallis. He also persuaded close friend, Broughton Park ex-captain, and former Wasp, John Ramsbottom, to join Tring. As captain and vice/ coach, they attracted new talent to club and a rapid improvement in playing standards.

Frank played well into his late 50s, and continued his practical coaching as he moved down the teams, until operations on both knees compelled him to give up – and start refereeing. Admitting little knowledge of forward play, Frank would allow the game to flow, bringing some of the older players to the point of exhaustion well before the final whistle. He gave up refereeing at 67.

Not only club captain for three years which saw the first phase of the club’s upward progress, he had two stints as Chairman, followed by eight years as President.

Frank was the epitome of a great club man, and embodied the professional standards that Tring rugby represents- without losing the essential reasons why this game at our level should remain amateur. On behalf of Tring Rugby, a big ‘Thank you'.

Frank was also an accomplished cricketer. He played for Hayfield in the Derbyshire League before moving to Tring, where he had a couple of seasons with Tring Park

Franks two boys, Christopher and Tim, both started their rugby with the juniors, and Tim had a number of years on the first team. His daughter, Sheana, has been kept busy raising her family and, for the past 10 years or so, taking care of Frank as his condition deteriorated.