Leicester Tigers are deeply saddened to learn of the death of a great servant to the club, Bob Beason.

An England Schools international, Beason played 203 games for the club from 1960-1972, scoring three tries.

Off the field, he had a tremendous impact on the club, serving as a committee member before the professional era and as an executive director from 1997 to 2007.

Bob was also instrumental in the creation of what is now the Leicester Tigers Academy, and is one of the select few to have been awarded Life Membership status by the club.

Leicester Tigers Executive Chairman Peter Tom CBE paid tribute to Beason: “Bob was a tremendous servant to our club. At a time when our game changed overnight, in the early days of professionalism, Bob played a significant role in plotting the future of our club."

“We are immensely proud of our Academy and the great players that it has produced over the years. Bob was a key figure in driving that. His family can be proud of the legacy he has left here at the club, and our thoughts are with Bob’s family at this difficult time.”