FORMER Otley RUFC president and chairman Harold Jones has died aged 91 after a short illness.

A successful Bradford businessman, selling all types of rubber products from industrial gloves to heavy duty hoses, Jones was instrumental in setting up the Wednesday Gang, who did so much work around the ground, in 1986.

A former 'in-your-face' Vale of Lune scrum half and Lancashire trialist, he moved to Alwoodley and then Bramhope, joining Otley in the late 1960s and, together with his wife Pat, made a huge contribution to the life of the club.

His funeral is on Friday at St Giles’ Church, Bramhope (11.30am), with refreshments at the rugby club afterwards.