FRIENDS, relatives and fellow rugby players are in shock after a long-serving player and coach died suddenly of meningitis, aged just 36.

Adrian 'Ady' Robinson, who played for New Earswick All Blacks for most of his life and recently became club secretary, suffered an ear ache last week but thought it was just a cold, said chairman Paul Pallister.

He said Ady took time off from his job at ISS's depot at Sheriff Hutton but his condition deteriorated and by the time paramedics were called and he was taken to hospital, he was delirious.

"The paramedics said this isn't flu but something more serious and he was given a CT scan when he got to hospital which appeared to give him the all-clear," he said.

"But then he deteriorated further overnight and he was taken into intensive care," he said.

"I think he was put on intravenous antibiotics and on life support equipment, but they were unable to save him. It had gone too far.

"Ady's parents, Philip and Eileen, were totally happy with the care provided to him at the hospital, and had a collection at his funeral for the intensive care unit."

Mr Pallister added that Ady's organs had been used to help others live, in line with his previously expressed wishes.

Ady, who leaves his nine-year-old son Charlie, partner Julie and sister, also Julie, was buried yesterday at Holy Trinity Church in Stockton on the Forest following the funeral.

Ady grew up in Osbaldwick, attending Osbaldwick Primary and then Huntington School.

His lifelong friend Philip Hall, 38, said: "Ady was always there for anyone who needed him. He was caring, thoughtful and had a fun-loving attitude to life. Everyone of his friends, at some time or another, has had a smile on their face as they've seen his bare backside running across a field. He was loved by everyone who had the privilege to know him. He will be loved and missed always."

Philip's sister, Caroline Thompson who was also friends with Ady, said: "I didn't expect to get that kind of phone call [about his death]. It was completely out of the blue. It happened really suddenly. There was a really good turnout at the funeral for him, which we always knew it would be."

She said: "Ady was full of craziness. He was there as a shoulder to cry on but would always put the smile back on your face with his cheeky grin. He was just lovely."

Mr Pallister said Ady had played cricket for Osbaldwick and had started playing for the All Blacks when he was just seven years old and continued doing so for most of his career until a couple of years ago, when he became a coach. He also more recently became club secretary.

"Everyone is just devastated at what has happened," he said.

"Our cup match last weekend away at Bentley was postponed after we heard the terrible news that he had died. Everyone agreed it would be wrong to play it, and it will be re-scheduled for the New Year."

Fellow coach Jack Stearman said: "Ady really cared about the kids. He was very popular and was writing a development plan for the club which was going to take it forward."