TRIBUTES have been paid to the president of Queensbury's amateur rugby league club, who was a member for nearly 70 years.

Brian Holdsworth, who has died aged 87, served Queensbury ARLFC as a player, coach, secretary and president.

His funeral will be held tomorrow and the cortege will pass the rugby club, where members are invited to line the route, wearing Queensbury colours, and pay their respects.

Mr Holdsworth,who was born in Queensbury and lived there throughout his life, went to Russell Hall Primary School and the Baptist Chapel school in the village.

He started playing rugby as a boy and his passion for the sport has become a family tradition; with his sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren also keen players and followers of rugby.

"He was very proud of them all," said Mr Holdsworth's daughter, Kim Pullan. "Dad's father, George, our grandad, used to wash the Queensbury kit and his brother played for the club.

"My brother, Dean, and his son, Bryce, both played for Queensbury and they now train a team in Australia.

"Dad's great-grandson, Mason, plays for Moldgreen ARLFC in Huddersfield, and his youngest great-grandson, Alfie, who is six, now plays too, carrying on the family tradition."

Mr Holdsworth worked at Fields Printers in Bradford for 30 years. He and his wife, Patricia, were married for 64 years with four children - Dean, Kim, Darryl and Leigh - 10 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

"His lifelong love of rugby didn't leave much time for other hobbies, but he did enjoy darts and dominoes," said Kim. "When the rugby season was over, you would find him playing darts."

In the late 1960s Mr Holdsworth set up the junior section of Queensbury ARLFC, with the help of Raymond Taylor,and he coached the under-19s team to win the 1968/69 Senior Cup Final at Odsal Stadium. The junior section produced many players who went on to play in open age teams.

Mr Holdsworth was the club's secretary for nearly 50 years and he later became its president.

A tribute to him on the Queensbury rugby club Facebook page says: "May you rest in peace now Brian, taking the best view possible watching over Queensbury ARLFC and its future."

The funeral will take place tomorrow at H Bates Funeral Directors in Queensbury, followed by burial at the Holy Trinity Churchyard.

The funeral cortege will pass Queensbury ARLFC playing field on Albert Road and the club has invited those wishing to pay their respects to stand at the road side, and on the rugby field, wearing Queensbury club blue and white colours.

Mr Holdsworth's daughter, Kim, said it would be a "lovely tribute" to the much-loved father, grandfather and great-grandfather, who inspired generations of rugby league players over the decades; many of whom went on to play competitively and train other teams.

The club has urged players and other members and friends: "Let’s give Brian a proper Queensbury ARLFC send off."