FOR four decades Harry Crabtree devoted his life to Skipton Rugby Club.

He was uppermost in the minds of the team for Saturday's match when a minute's silence was held for Mr Crabtree, who lost a long battle with cancer.

More tributes were paid at Monday's funeral service at Holy Trinity which ended with a recording of Mr Crabtree's favourite musician, Louis Armstrong, singing "What a Wonderful World".

Mr Crabtree played for the rugby club until 1990 when he finally retired at the age of 53. He carried out every function at the club, including president, a post he held at his death.

Mr Crabtree served the club as it went through the doldrums and without his efforts it is possible that the club's decline would have been terminal. Instead the club has enjoyed a revival, culminating in the capture of the Yorkshire Silver Trophy in May.

The players headed straight from the changing room to a ward at Airedale Hospital where Mr Crabtree was receiving treatment for cancer.

Mr Crabtree worked for first Skipton Urban District and then Craven District Council, rising to become its head of paid services, its chief executive in all but name. He was also a keen musician, playing saxophone and teaching others to play instruments.