Like most cricketers over the years, Bryan was asked to do the odd stint out in the middle to enable a game to progress and actually enjoyed the experience.
After nearly 50 years of opening the bowling from school to club cricket, Bryan qualified as a Level 1 coach and qualified as an umpire, whilst still playing for the Broadhalfpenny Brigands. He set up the Brigands Umpire Panel whilst joining the Southern League Panel and the Royal Navy's Officials and being elevated to the Association of Cricket Umpires.
Bryan coached and managed District cricket teams in Hampshire and was part of the Hampshire Cricket volunteer group which took Kwik-cricket into Special Educational Needs schools.
In 2009 as part of the Brigands Jubilee cricket week, Bryan arranged a Hants v Sussex Visually Impaired match, a first for Broadhalfpenny Down and it turned out it was an ideally quiet venue for players who depend on hearing rather than sight.
Now an octogenarian, Bryan enjoys the pace of Brigands cricket and ensures that each match has at least one umpire and sometimes two. Long may it continue.
