Originally a football man, Chris first came down to Hoppers to bring his eldest son Simon to mini rugby some 50 years ago. He became a fully-fledged Hoppers supporter when he started watching his only truly talented son, William, play for the 1st XV.

Chris was a long-standing VP and sponsor of the club through his business, Leyland Printing Company, who also produced the matchday programme for many years. He was a familiar face both at home games and on away trips with the 1869 Club, which may explain the extensive collection of Northern rugby club ties he appears to have “liberated” over the decades.

Funeral arrangements to follow.