A former Wharfedale rugby union player from Skipton has died in a motorbike crash on the Isle of Man, where the TT races are currently being held.

Motorbike enthusiast Antony Capstick, 36, known as Clopper, died on Saturday after suffering a serious head injury in an accident on an open road on his motorbike on Friday.

Mr Capstick, who got married late last year, was airlifted to Nobles Hospital following the accident but died the following day.

Mike Harrison, chairman of rugby at Wharfedale Rugby Union Football Club, said Mr Capstick was a loyal player who was well-liked throughout the club.

He said: “The club is extremely sad about the whole issue.

“Anthony was an extremely loyal, hard working and very successful first team player.

“He played 247 times for the first team incredibly and he had 216 national league appearances.

“He was always positive and one of the most popular members of the first team. He was extremely well liked right around the club.”

Mr Harrison said Mr Capstick stopped playing for the club about two-years-ago due to work commitments.

He said: “He gave up because his work demands made it almost impossible because he was working away on training nights and some weekends.”

Inspector Derek Flint, of the Isle of Man Constabulary, yesterday confirmed Mr Capstick was involved in a collision at about 1.40pm on Friday at the Graham Memorial on the mountain section of the A18 Mountain Road.

He said: “The gentleman was airlifted to hospital but sadly later died from his injuries.

“The coroner has been informed and the family are aware.”

Tributes flooded in to the Facebook profile of Jane, Mr Capstick’s wife, over the weekend after she had informed friends and family of what happened.

On her profile she wrote: “Clopper had an accident yest. in the Isle of Man on his motorbike.

“He suffered a serious head injury and was airlifted to hosp.

“I flew out and stayed with him and his brothers all night.

“Unfortunately he had serious brain damage among many other injuries and they had to turn off the life support machine this morning.

“RIP my love.

“Words fail me.”