Tributes have been paid to a "tough" former rugby player and captain who was part of famous trophy-winning teams with Saddleworth Rangers.

Dai Evans died due to an illness on March 17 according to his former club, who paid tribute to him on social media.

Evans, who was from Oldham, played for Rangers through the 1970s and 1980s, and was "respected and admired" by the rugby community throughout the borough.

The club said in its statement that he joined Rangers from Fitton Hill in 1975 and in his first season, he helped them win the Standard Cup, winning the Ben Powell Trophy as Man of the Match thanks to his kicked goals which helped win them the match.

Evans became the club captain and his achievements in that role included leading the club out to their first game at Boundary Park, a Lancashire Cup final against Leigh Miners which they lost before another Standard Cup final win followed in the 1979/80 season.

Stephen Gansler, a long-time friend of Evans', said: "He played loose forward and was a tough lad, proper tough.

"He wasn’t that big for a forward but he was a good player – you wanted him in your side."

Andy Dunster, who broke into the first team with Evans, said: "He was an enforcer for us younger lads coming through.

"An absolute class act on the pitch and a top man off it."

The club said in their post that Evans was "an important character" at the club for many years and that he would be "sadly missed".

Saddleworth Rangers offered their condolences to Evans' family and friends.