Aston Unity were saddened to learn of the death of Robert Ingram after a battle against ill health. Robert was a integral part of the club for over sixty years in various roles. With his father Norman also being a key member before him it was a family record of service stretching back ninety years.

For most of Robert's playing career Unity were in the Birmingham League and he was a useful mid order batsman and a top fielder particularly in the covers. The highlight of his career was when Unity narrowly won the last of their top flight titles in 1977 when he played several key innings which helped to tip the balance at the end of the season. There were also two Birmingham League Knock Out Cup titles in 1968 and 1978 where his contributions with the bat and the ball were invaluable.

After the seventies Unity's on field fortunes had more downs than ups and one of the main reasons that they are still around today was Robert's off the pitch contributions which helped delay the loss of Birmingham League status until 2009. He held the post of chairman in the last period and kept the club intact in difficult times. He also played until 2009 and the last twenty years of his playing career was spent mainly in the second team where his experience and expertise often produced results that were better than could have been expected with the resources available.

Another area where he followed his father at Unity was on the ground and again for the last days of the Birmingham League he ended up as the main groundsman along with being chairman and captaining the second team. He was also a very practical engineer and managed to produce for Unity at very minimal cost sightscreens, covers, a groundsman hut and a fence and gate for the ground.

The club extend their commiserations to his family at this trying time. The funeral will be on Monday 16th May, full details to be confirmed.