Arthur Bunting, Hull FC rugby league coach

Although born in Hemsworth and having grown up in nearby Featherstone, it was in that other rugby league hotbed of Hull where he would earn such fame and honours.

He would do so on both sides of the river, too, having played as a half-back for Hull KR, amassing 237 games and also coached the Robins between 1972 and 1975 before switching to their fierce rivals the Black and Whites.

It was there that Bunting would assemble and take charge of a side that would be regarded as the best of their time for much of his seven years in charge between 1978 and 1985.

He guided the Airlie Birds to just about every trophy and major final available, with world greats such as Australian scrum-half Peter Sterling, Great Britain loose forward Steve ‘Knocker’ Norton and Kiwi star James Leuluai those who graced his side.

Most notably, he was at the helm of the world record-breaking season that saw Hull win every one of their 26 league games in 1978-79, a record which has never been equalled or bettered since.

During his time as coach, when he crucially made Hull supremely fit, he enjoyed success in the league, won the Yorkshire Cup three times, the John Player Trophy, the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy and famously the Challenge Cup in 1981-82, beating Widnes in a replay at Elland Road.

He led Hull to Wembley three times in all and was overjoyed to see FC finally win there last year.

Bunting - who nurtured the likes of Lee Crooks and Garry Schofield at Hull - remained a big fan of the club after his retirement and, though renowned for a sometimes steely attitude as a coach, is remembered as a warm and humourous man whose love for the sport was clear for all to see.

The club’s executive director, James Clark said Bunting’s record - one of “unprecedented success as the man responsible for overseeing a golden era in the club’s history” - spoke for itself.

“His love for the sport and the club was infectious, whilst his humility and modesty for a man of such stature in our history was admirable and perhaps it never truly hit home how respected and adored he still is today,” Mr Clark said.