THE sudden death of Keith Lewis at the age of 55 has stunned Wharfedale Rugby Club and his many friends both inside and outside rugby circles. Mr Lewis collapsed and died at his Cross Hills home on New Year's Eve.

The club's press officer and correspondent for the Craven Herald for the past decade, he chronicled the rise and rise of the Green Machine with a knowledge and love of the game that shone through in all his reports.

As the exploits of the Dalesmen grew ever greater to the heights they now occupy, he ensured with his tireless work and professionalism that they received the recognition they deserved both locally and nationally, not only through words but also when required with the camera. And he was instrumental in the club embracing the new age of the internet.

For Wharfedale supporters unable to make the long trek to such far-flung destinations as London, Cornwall and Gloucestershire - and even Canada - he made certain with meticulous detail and wit that they did not miss out on the deeds of the men in green.

His loss leaves a gap at Wharfedale that will long be felt by everyone there; players, Barmy Army and all, and their deepest sympathy goes to his wife Sheila, daughters Jo and Sarah, son-in-law Neil Robinson and grandson Tom.

Born in Lytham St Anne's, he attended Fleetwood Grammar School where he was head boy. He graduated from St Pauls College at Cheltenham and later gained an MA Degree at Hull University and taught maths and PE.

His first post was at Arnold School in Blackpool and then he taught at Scunthorpe before moving to Cross Hills. He was head of maths at Bronte Middle School at Oakworth and head of year at Oakbank Grammar School at Keighley before taking early retirement to pursue other interests which included sports journalism and rugby tour organisation. He also continued to enjoy supply teaching at Ermysted's Grammar School at Skipton.

He played rugby at college and for Fylde before playing for the Wharfedale first team at No 8 from 1973 to 75 and for other teams at the club up to the 1980s.

Paying tribute to him Wharfedale president John Spencer said: "The professional game brought demands for much improved press communications, marketing and public relations. Keith embraced that task with the most energetic panache and became the expert in his field.

"Within the club he has been a giant in the development of the modern day Wharfedale. He has been the most loyal supporter and enthusiastic worker in a game which gave him great enjoyment and in which he had been a fine player.

"More important is the fact that we have all lost a colleague who has been a great friend over many good years and his family have lost a strong and loving man."

Chairman Frank House said: "His death was a great shock to all members of the club and it will be very difficult to replace him. He had several duties which he performed diligently and he was a pleasure to work with. Any club can ill afford to lose a man of his calibre."

Director of rugby Mike Harrison speaking on behalf of himself and fellow coach Peter Hartley said: "His contribution to the club was invaluable. He often looked after the newcomers to the senior sides with Len Tiffany and it was thanks in large measure to his example that they became Greens through and through.

"He always had a burning ambition for the club to do well and was eager to ensure that it progressed to higher levels. And he played a significant part in the club achieving that."

First team captain John Lawn said: "All the players are very upset. Keith worked very closely with all of us making the travel arrangements and arranging the tours. He put in an outstanding amount of time and effort for the club without any thought of thanks and his death is not only a massive loss to his family but also to Wharfedale. I think it will be only now that everyone will truly realise what he did for the club."

Ian Lockwood, editor of the Craven Herald, said: "Keith Lewis carved out a special niche for himself as recorder of Wharfedale's exploits in the Craven Herald. He took great care over his reports, never relying simply on a basic description.

"Like all the great sportswriters, he looked for an angle, a telling phrase, which would entertain as well as inform. Over the years he developed his own distinctive style and wrote with a flair which was enjoyed by readers across the spectrum rather than just the rugby fanatics.

"He was immensely proud of his column, taking great care over every sentence and I am sure he played a big part in attracting neutrals to the game. Ironically, the day before his death, he was discussing with me his plans for coverage in 2000 and was relishing the possibility of yet another promotion for the club.

"Wharfedale rugby has lost a devoted servant and the Craven Herald has lost a much respected writer."

There will be a minute's silence in memory of Keith before Wharfedale's home match against Preston Grasshoppers on Saturday. The funeral service is at St Andrew's Church at Kildwick on Tuesday at 11.30am.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.