THE rugby community was saddened by the sudden passing of a long-serving and loyal participant in local sport.

Harry Armstrong, who played for Tynedale’s second, third and fourth teams spanning three decades from the 1960s to the 1980s recently died.

Armstrong’s involvement with the Corbridge club stretched beyond playing and he founded the Worriers touring team, and coached the Grasshoppers.

Away from Tynedale, Harry went on to become a founding member of Prudhoe Hospital Rugby Club, which is now known as Prudhoe and Stocksfield RUFC.

Members at Tynedale paid tribute to Armstrong during last Saturday’s home game with Scunthorpe.