Former Harrogate Rugby Union Football Club chairman and president James Smithies has died.

The club released a statement this week saying Mr Smithies passed away on Monday following a long illness.

Mr Smithies spent over 10 years at the club and played a key role in negotiations to move from the old ground on Claro Road to the present site on Rudding Lane. The former ground has now been redeveloped for housing.

Mr Smithies was elected chairman in 2012 and in 2017 received the highest honour that the club can bestow when he was elected president.

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The club said he was a generous financial supporter of the club and ensured the success of the first XV.

The club’s statement added:

“We send our condolences to his wife Chris, his son Edward and his family.”