LESLIE Bentley, arguably the most valued volunteer in Bradford rugby union for the past 50 years, has died aged 93.

Shipley-based Leslie, nicknamed 'Legs' for his athletic prowess as a youngster – he could run 100 yards in ten seconds – was a tireless worker for the sport and was the go-to man if anyone wanted to check anything when the sport introduced a league system in the mid-1980s.

Born in Ireland, he moved to England with his family when he was six months old after their mill was set on fire, and was educated at Bradford Grammar School.

A winger at rugby union, having played soccer at school, his prowess at athletics and with the oval ball during the Second World war in Italy led to an article in the Telegraph & Argus, which was noticed back home and he was recruited by Bradford Rugby Union Football Club.

After two appearances for their A team, he made his first-team debut at Harrogate and scored three tries.

He then went to Manchester University after a brief spell as a civil servant and was capped four times by Yorkshire in the 1947-48 season.

Captain of Bradford for two seasons, he found himself on the club's selection committee around 1950, and was also involved with the committees that redeveloped their Lidget Green headquarters and ultimately the sale of land that enabled them to merge with Bingley Rugby Union Football Club and move to Wagon Lane in the early 1980s.

'Legs' served on the Yorkshire RFU committee for some 40 years – initially as a district representative – and helped to set up the forward planning and youth committees.

A schoolteacher, he was also part of the Northern Division RFU committee that set up league rugby union, and in 2005 received a Torch Trophy Trust award – only the fourth recipient from the sport – from the Princess Royal in recognition of his service.

The father-in-law of noted writer Gervase Phinn, humour was never far below the surface with 'Legs', who had an extensive collection of rugby union data in his office upstairs at home.

After suffering a stroke, he changed his nickname to 'Last Legs' and, doubtless when his health deteriorated further recently, that would have become 'Very Last Legs' as prostrate cancer took its toll.

'Legs' liked nothing better than to try and take in two or three local rugby matches on a Saturday afternoon, and even ignored doctor's orders to do so – "don't tell him," said 'Legs' – but he did draw the line at watching live sport on television.

Long-term pal Keith Wilkinson said: "'Legs' used to tape the matches and then watch them afterwards when he knew the result ."

To back that up, Legs, who lived in the same house on Moorhead Terrace for 55 years, told me in 2009: "I'd better not watch the Andy Murray semi-final. It might bring on an angina attack.

"I don't like watching matches now unless I know the score beforehand. It can be too stressful."

As an example of his self-deprecating humour, 'Legs' wrote this poem on his 93rd birthday.

It read:

Today Good Lord I'm 93

An age I never thought to see

But still I'm here and look for more

So may I keep going when 94?

Although no longer can I jive

Could I still shuffle on to 95?

Perhaps if then I'm game for tricks

My target surely must be 96

Maybe by then I'll feel close to heaven

Having reached the age of 97!

Do I spy those pearly gates

Being so close to 98?

Having enjoyed a most wonderful time

Perhaps I will hang around at 99!!

LWB

Leslie's funeral is on Wednesday, November 5 at St Peter's Church, Saltaire (2.30), followed by a celebration of his life at Bradford & Bingley Rugby Club.