One of the great characters of Melbourne Rugby Club and to whom the phrase ‘Only the Good Die Young’ has never been more applicable. The following is a tribute and testimony to the love and friendship Robin engendered in everyone who met him.

Robin’s rugby did not start at school. Despite his love of all sports, or perhaps because of it, he didn’t start playing rugby until he joined his brother David at Melbourne in 1983/84.

Prior to that Robin had been a keen swimmer, representing the County for several years. Later he took up water skiing eventually buying his own boat. In his late teens Robin and David purchased Motocross bikes and competed at race meetings around the country. Later again, Robin and best friend Rick travelled to France, Wales and Yorkshire on their motorbikes and entered 24 hour Endurance races. The list does not stop there. The natural and very competitive sportsman also enjoyed Golf, Hockey, Ten Pin Bowling, Skiing, Squash and Football.

Eventually he found rugby which was to become a great passion for him. It seemed a natural fit. Starting in the centres at Melbourne he progressed and excelled to the extent that he decided to make the leap up to the higher ranked Derby Rugby Club. In one of his first seasons with Derby he scored over 20 tries at Centre. He then made the move to No. 8 and enjoyed a further couple of seasons at Derby before moving back to Melbourne. A new challenge beckoned when Robin sought out Roger Lucas with a view to converting to Loosehead Prop. He had found his natural position and relished every encounter.

Representing Derbyshire in the 1994/95 season with Melbourne teammates brother David, future brother-in-law Ian and Dean Sylvester was to be a highlight of Robin’s playing career. Unfortunately, sister Tor and David’s wife Dawn weren’t there to watch. They’d travelled down the wrong motorway, taking the M6 instead of the M5.

As busy off the pitch as he was on it, Robin undertook the roles of Match/Fixture Secretary, was a member of the Selection Committee and Social Committee and coached the Melbourne Ladies Team, the Colts, and the Minxes in which daughter Sophie played.

Robin tragically died whilst playing for Melbourne in a home game. He felt unwell, came off at half-time and headed for the changing rooms which were then situated in the old pavilion in front of the allotments, and there he passed away. The main pitch on the corner of Cockshut Lane and Robinson’s Hill is known as the Robin Clayborn Memorial Pitch. The tree planted by his family in the corner of the rugby pitch proudly grows, forever watching over the club he loved. The Robin Clayborn Memorial Trophy donated by Wendy & Geoff Crocker (Robin’s Parents) is awarded at the annual awards for outstanding contribution to Melbourne RFC.

It’s hard to believe that it is now 16 years since Robin’s passing and some of today’s Melbourne youth will never have had the privilege of knowing him, that so many of us are grateful for. I still see and hear Robin in odd moments, for his presence will always be among us.

RIP Robin.

The following answers have been compiled by Robin’s daughters Emma and Sophie.

1. First position you played in rugby: Centre
2. Worst injury: Hand injury – punching someone

3. Best player you played with at MRFC or elsewhere: Sue Clayborn

4. Best person for post-match drinks, fun and frolics: Bengo

5. What should your nickname be: Bruiser

6. What bad habit do you have: Temper

7. Your sporting hero: Jason Leonard

8. Your non-sporting hero: Geoff Crocker

9. Favourite food/meal: Cheese and Potato Pie

10. Favourite TV programme/film: Question of Sport

11. Favourite book: We can’t think of one!

12. Who dead or alive would you like to have a conversation with: Ashley Stringer, a few stern words to be had

13. You can take either a book, music or a tool to a desert island. Which, and what would it be: Music, Beautiful South Greatest Hits

14. Dream job: Speed Boat Driver in Majorca

15. Tell me something about you that no one knows: One of his favourite songs is by Bette Midler

16. A phrase that reflects your life: The Goal is not to live forever, the Goal is to create something that will

17. What sport do you wish you’d tried: Ballet, only thing he didn’t (as far as we know)

18. Who would you like to see interviewed for this article: Jo Mallard

19. Your wish for the future of MRFC: For future generations of my Family to be part of MRFC

20. Your Melbourne Dream Team of players past and present:

Roger Lucas
Garry Fawcett
Paul Kellow
Dave Bonner
Keith Bonner
David Clayborn
Pete Lewsey
Ian Lucas
Sophie Clayborn
Jake Oxspring
Ashley Stringer
Ian Watts
Andy Fulton
John Ewins
Graeme Hardy