Max Gold, solicitor who helped victims of the Gaul disaster

But he was best known as a community minded solicitor, and it was in this capacity that he represented several families of crew members of the Hull trawler Gaul, which sank in the Barents Sea, north of Norway, in 1974. It was one of the fishing industry’s greatest tragedies, claiming the lives of all 36 on board.

The Hull East MP Karl Turner, who had known Mr Gold for 20 years - originally through a shared interest in rugby league memorabilia and later practicing law under his aegis - said: “He gave me my first law job and continued to instruct me.

“He was a true socialist - the sort of man who really put people first. Probably 50 per cent of his work was for free.

“He did a lot of work on behalf of the families of the Gaul victims and a lot of that was for free when the government’s money ran out.”

Mr Gold had run his own law firm since 1979, and had latterly acted as a consultant for the firm of Ingrams. They said: “Max was a kind man, a brilliant advocate and respected by everyone who knew him.”

He was also a leading light in Hull’s Jewish community, and two months ago was among the hosts at an event to celebrate its 250th anniversary in the city.

At Hull KR, Mr Gold had served on the board during its glory years of the 1980s and was chairman from 1991, in more difficult times.

The present chairman, Neil Hudgell, said: “Max was a very good friend of mine both in rugby and in my professional and private life.

“He was a man with a kind heart, who helped anyone and everyone. He was a passionate Hull KR man, his family being steeped in the history of this club.”

The club’s historian, Roger Pugh, added: “When Max spoke, we all listened.”