Obituary: Bob Jenkins

He mainly played as a flanker, though he made occasional United appearances in the second row. He played five times for the United in his debut season, and a further 18 times in 1967-68, scoring five tries. At the end of this season he was awarded his Bristol United cap. Bob also played seven times for the first team in 1967-68, and he played three more first team matches in 1968-69, scoring two tries. His debut was against Old Merchant Taylors at Christmas 1967, and his first team tries were scored against Stroud in 1968 and Harlequins in 1969.

During the 1968-69 season Bob appeared 12 more times for the United, scoring another five tries, but after this he was lost to Bristol as he moved to a teaching post in London. When he first moved to the capital he joined Blackheath, but in common with several other Blackheath players he moved to the more sociable surroundings of Charlton Park, where he was a popular player in the early 1970s, usually appearing at No.8. He returned to Bristol later in his teaching career and became deputy head of Castle School in Thornbury, where he met and worked with former Bristol scrum half Alan Pearn.

All at Bristol Bears extend their sincere condolences to Bob’s family at this very sad time.