FAMILY and friends have paid tributes to former Lydney Rugby Club captain John Newlove who has died at the age of 91.

John, or OJN as his friends new him, went on to play 210 games for the Severnsiders before retiring in 1960.

Lydney RFC held a minute’s silence in honour of their former skipper before their victory over Ivybridge at Regentsholme on Saturday.

His son Mike thanked friends and rugby members for their support.

He said: “The minute of silence before the game was really nice.

“We’ve received cards and a lot of rugby club members have been in touch.

“Family, work, rugby and golf were all very important to my dad.

“He would go and watch the team and travel across the country to see them.”

John was captain during the seasons 1955/56 and 1956/57 and it was in 1956 that Lydney had its first tour abroad, to Belgium.

Lydney committee member Colin Henderson said the former captain was well liked by many at the club.

“John was a top man.

“He would always come down to watch,” he said.

In the 1952/53 season John was a member of the Lydney side that lost against Bristol at the Memorial Ground by the odd point 11 – 12 and three days later he was in the team that beat Gloucester at Kingsholm 17 – 11.

During his time as captain he gained his county cap in a Gloucestershire match against the British Police.

John would have gone on to play longer, but work took him away to live in Yorkshire for two years.

After his playing days he spent many years serving on the committee and was secretary from 1966 to 1968.

John was also a keen golfer. He was playing at Lydney Golf Club during the early 1950’s after the club restarted following the Second World War.

Except for the period when he living in Yorkshire he played until forced to stop as his health failed. At the time, he was the longest serving member.

John was captain in 1971 and in 1974 with his wife Jo, presented the golf club with trophies which are still being contested.

This was followed by election as chairman in 1976.

He also served as competitions secretary for a number of years.

He is survived by two sons and five grandchildren.