A popular Dorset businessman who spent many years supporting community sports and helping set up a local charity has died following a characteristically brave fight with illness.

He was 78.

Robin Osborne held the distinction of being the only person to have held all four of Hampshire FA's titled positions and he was instrumental in helping set up Bournemouth-based charity, the Steve Bernard Foundation.

Robin was born in Wellingborough attending the local grammar school and then training to become a chartered accountant in 1968.

His knowledge and expertise was quickly noticed by a leading accountancy company, now known as Ernst and Young.

Robin then established his own accountancy firm in Bournemouth representing many large companies and individuals.

As a very keen sportsman and football referee whilst growing up in Leicestershire, Robin soon became involved in the local football scene joining Christchurch FC where he served as treasurer and then chairman from1998.

Following his time with the club, Robin remained in private practice until he was appointed the Hampshire Football Association’s treasurer and finance director in 2001.

He held all four of the titled positions - finance director, treasurer, deputy chairman and Chairman before becoming the president in 2019, a title he also held with the Bournemouth District FA and Christchurch FC.

Robin was also a trustee for the Steve Bernard Foundation, established in 2005 in memory of young sporting star Steve Bernard, who died in a car accident that year.

Robin was instrumental in setting up the charity and making the first donation to set it on his way helping thousands of local youngsters enjoy an array of sports.

The charity recently marked an incredible milestone of £500,000 raised.

Never the one for the limelight, he would sit behind the scenes offering his professional expertise, innate diligence and wise counsel.

He was described as supportive and relentlessly kind, tackling life’s challenges with humility and a generous heart.

The measure of Robin’s commitment to his family was when told his illness was terminal, he sold his forever home in Highcliffe and moved to Rothley in Leicestershire so his wife, Gail would be close to her family.

Whilst his loss has left a void in local football and sporting projects, his friends and family will remember him with fondness.

Robin passed away on the 24th March surrounded by his family.

He is survived by his wife Gail, sons Chris and Nick and his grandchildren, Lewis and Grace.

His funeral was held at the All Souls Chapel in Loughborough. He had asked for all donations be made to the Steve Bernard Foundation.