John Finnegan, Harrogate RUFC president

He completed numerous games in a ‘Gate shirt as a second row forward, later becoming a coach and taking charge of both the club’s bar and grounds.

Bill Barrack, the club’s honorary secretary, said visitors would remember him for his warm personality and the highly developed social skills with which he greeted guests.

“He was enormously conscientious in all his presidential duties and was extremely generous to the club, both materially and with the time he devoted to us,” Mr Barrack said.

Harrogate’s director of rugby, Dave Doherty, said it was for Mr Finnegan’s status as a role model that he would be best remembered.

“He was an eloquent speaker and someone whose company people enjoyed,” he said. “Finners was loved by everyone at the club, not just for the work he did here, but also because of the character he was.”

Mr Finnegan is survived by his wife Jo, his two sons James and Ed, and two grandchildren.