A FORMER York RUFC first team captain and physics teacher, who worked at a local school which he attended as a boy, has died aged 70.

Nigel Elliot, who lived in Everingham, East Yorkshire, but was born and raised in York, played for York RUFC in the 1960s and 70s and was the club's president in the early 90s.

He attended Archbishop Holgate's School in York and went on to become a physics teacher, working at Archbishop Holgate’s, Tadcaster Grammar School and latterly Beverley High School where he was head of science.

He helped to found the Quality Street Gang – a fundraising group of former York RUFC players, who gained support from some of the most famous names in the sport, including England Rugby World Cup winners Lawrence Dallaglio and Jason Leonard.

Nigel was also a respected junior rugby coach at Pocklington RUFC for about 15 years.

He died after battling an illness for a few months.

His son Dan, who played for Pocklington's junior team which was coached by his father, said: "He was very passionate about rugby, that was his main thing. He enjoyed coaching and spending time with his family and going away with mum and the rest of the family.

"He started coaching when we started to play rugby at Pocklington RUFC and took my team right through to colts level. He got so much pleasure watching us improve and develop and shared our successes.

"He was very active in Everingham and was the chair of the village hall committee where he did a lot of fundraising to provide facilities for everyone in the village."

Dan added: "He was very friendly. He was a gentle and loving person.

"He's going to be missed by a lot of people."

Nigel leaves behind his wife Jane, Dan and three other children - Becky, Ben and Joe, and three grandchildren – Alice, Arlo and Rory

His funeral will take place on Friday at 12.20pm at York Crematorium.