It has not been a good start to the season for Bradford & Bingley.

Having lost their first two matches in SSE National League Three North, they have also been hit by the death of former president Keith Loftus this week.

The popular long-time ‘professional’ touch judge lost his fight against lung cancer last night.

‘Lofty’ also played for Bingley, raised funds for the Bees via the 200 Club, and hardly ever missed a tour.

Bees rugby chairman Peter Rae said: “I remember him with much fondness, sprinting down the touchline with his immaculate flag – a position he filled for over 25 years.

“As a club member, he carried out numerous tasks to great effect. Lofty, and his chuckle, will be sadly miss-ed.”

After defeats on the artificial pitch at Burnage and at home to Huddersfield, the Bees’ director of rugby Henry Paul has had to come out of retirement at 39 to help his depleted squad.

He said: “Not many teams will win at Burnage this season, while we were crippled by injuries against Huddersfield.

“We lost scrum half Kirk Arundale, who was directing us around the pitch, to a groin injury, and brought Tom Gough off the wing as his replacement and he was also injured.

“We should not expect a 19-year-old like Harry Jeffrey to play for 80 minutes in the second row, but he did and didn’t look out of place.”

Paul may have to play in another derby at Morley tomorrow but will know better after a head count.