A minute’s silence has been held at Keighley Cougars’ ground following the death of an amateur rugby league player.

Twenty-four-year-old Chris Brown, a prop forward for Silsden Park Rangers, died in hospital last week after he was injured in a game earlier this month.

Mr Brown was making his first appearance for the Rangers for 18 months in the match against Meltham All Blacks when he hit his head on the ground in tackle He was substituted, and although he rejoined the game a short time later, he left the pitch again and collapsed soon afterwards.

The extent of his injuries were not apparent at first and it was not until he was seen by doctors at Airedale General Hospital that he was diagnosed with having suffered a brain haemorrhage.

He was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where he underwent surgery and then induced into a coma but he did not regain consciousness and died last Wednesday surrounded by family and close friends.

Mr Brown, of Silsden, who worked as a household appliance fitter, had been a member of the rugby club for about five years. Paying tribute to him, Pennine League chairman David Ingham said: “It’s a sad affair – an unfortunate tragedy.”

He said other amateur and professional clubs were planning to mark Mr Brown’s death by observing a minute’s silence.

Keighley Cougars players and crowd paid their tributes before kick off at the club’s home match with York City Knights yesterday.

Silsden’s match away at Stainland Stags was postponed.

In a statement on the Pennine League website, president Stuart Brown said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with all those involved at this devastating time.”