HARRY Reeder, who has died aged 82, was a genial man, and indeed part of the fabric which helps every rugby club or any volunteer organisation to run as smoothly as possible.

It was his job to cajole players to represent the lower teams at Bradford and latterly Bradford & Bingley.

Always cheerful, an affirmation that somebody could play was usually followed by Harry saying: “Good lad”.

Colin Bosworth wrote on the Bradford & Bingley Bees RFC Legacy Facebook page: “It is with great sadness that I have to inform you all of the passing of our great mate, mentor, team manager, excellent tourist and all-round lovely guy Harry Reeder.

“Joan (Harry’s wife) has asked me to let all the old lads know, and although some of you didn’t play in the fifths or tour with us, you will be familiar with the smile and ‘good lad’ of a genuine and much-loved clubman.”

Mark Smith added: “Harry was a great volunteer at the Bees and played a great role in keeping the spirit alive in the club, especially below the first team. He will be sadly missed.”

Former centre Dale Partridge wrote: “If you look up clubman in the dictionary there would be a picture of Harry Reeder.

“From making sure all the shirts were ready for Saturday games on a Friday night to cleaning the dressing rooms out after the matches, plus chasing match fees from us all, always with a smile on his face.

“One quick memory: We were playing Liverpool (St Helens) and were down by 50 at half-time. Harry’s response was ‘Come on Bees, we got them right where we want them’. He was ALWAYS positive. I’m one of his biggest fans.”

Former club president Richard Smith wrote: “I saw Harry in February at the BRI with Joan. Hadn’t seen him for ages and he was the same cheerful, lovely man.

“He was matter of fact about his hospital visits and (was) more interested in how ‘his’ club and ex-players were all doing, thinking of others before self.

“A great supporter of the club, great tourist and a believer that rugby is for all abilities, no matter how cr** we were as we did our best. A right good lad. RIP Harry.”

Former lower-team No.8 Dale Martin said: “Without doubt the best man I have ever met while playing at the Bees.

“That’s not dismissing anyone else, but being beat 50-nil and looking over and seeing Harry stood by himself pi** wet through and saying ‘good lads’ is something money can’t buy.

“God bless Harry. Sleep tight. X”

Former club president and Bees press officer Nick Patterson wrote: “I first met Harry about four seconds into my debut for the Bees in November 1988.

“One of my own teammates walloped me with a flailing elbow from the kick-off and I came round with a with a mouthful of the old magic sponge and a bloke muttering ‘Good lad, good lad.’”

Former first XV scum half Nick Cummins, who bank-rolled the club in better times, put: “Harry Reeder . . . where do you start?

“A great clubman, a great man, never a bad word. Always made you feel good even when you’d played a poor game, which was quite often. Always a smile. Goodbye Harry.”

Former first XV centre and prominent committee man Chris Hemsley wrote: “The best, a total legend of a volunteer and a happy, lovely man.

“A thought of Harry always brings a smile to your face. Without doubt one of the best that Bradford & Bingley RFC has ever had. Sad day for us all.

“’My boys’ and ‘good lad’ were the most common words I remember him saying. RIP Harry. You will always be with us and part of our happy times.”

Ex-first XV hooker and committee man John Fletcher added: “Top man, a huge part of a golden era. Thank you Harry.”

Former Bees player Alex McIntosh wrote: “Legend. I remember walking into the clubhouse on Saturday to the immortal words ‘Ali. Good man.’ Always immaculately dressed. Lovely man. RIP Harry.”

Former hooker Dave Narey said: “Ahh, what a shame, from Bradford to Bradford & Bingley seamlessly, what a star. So few of his kind left.

“He was responsible for us putting out a fifth team. He kept so many lads playing the game. Always a kind word and always a big smile.”

Other comments included “Such a lovely gentleman”, “what a lovely bloke”, “a true gent” and “one of the hardest working volunteers the Bees has ever known”.

James Hopper wrote: “Very sad to hear of Harry’s passing. He was an inspiration to us all and an absolute club legend. RIP Good Lad.”

Claire Waites put: “We can’t add anything more to these comments about a lovely man who cared about every team in the club from juniors to the top.”

Harry Reeder, husband to Joan, beloved father to Helen and Paul, devoted grandad to Grace and Emily and a much-loved brother to Joan, Kathleen and the late Hazel, there are few if any like you.

Harry’s funeral service is on Tuesday, May 21 (tomorrow) at Shay Grange Crematorium (2.15pm).