YORK’S rugby league community have paid their respects to legend Geoff Pryce, whose funeral took place yesterday.

York City Knights Hall of Famer Pryce died at the age of 59 earlier this month after contracting coronavirus.

Pryce was one of the first players to be honoured into York Rugby League’s Hall of Fame and is the club’s fourth highest try scorer.

A one-club man, Pryce played for York between 1980 and 1993, scoring 101 tries in 286 matches.

A number of ex-team-mates, club staff and media have below given their tributes to Geoff.

Steve Pryce (Geoff's brother, York 1993-94, Hunslet 1994-2004)

"He was lovable and he was liked by everybody.

"As a player, when you were around him, he had this aura and everybody wanted to talk to him.

"At York, Geoffrey was the man, he was everyone's favourite player and they all loved him.

"He was a naturally gifted rugby league player but he always give everything 100 per cent.

"He was the kind of player that everyone wanted to be around.

"It's unbelievable some of the things people have been saying about him. Everyone had their moments with him and that's not just on the playing side."

Paul McDermott (York, 1981-83)

“I played with Geoff from the 1981 season up to 1983. I remember him as a smiling, happy young man who trained hard, played hard and never complained like the rest of us cynical players.

“I never heard him criticise anyone or hurt anyone physically, even those who took advantage of him during games to head high tackle him.

“Even the most vicious head high hit often didn’t stop him moving forward and certainly didn’t stop him taking in the ball time and again.

“He was fast and elusive and scored some truly exciting tries exciting the York supporters time and again. Geoff was one of those players who made everyone get to their feet with excitement each time he touched the ball.

“It was a pleasure and honour to have known Geoff, and I hope Kay and the family can take some comfort from knowing how much he was loved by all who met him.”

Graham Sullivan (York RL, 1985-86, 88-95)

I had the great pleasure of playing in the same team as Geoff for a good few years and what a man he was! He was very strong and always gave 100 per cent.

“I also watched Geoff play when he first signed for York and it was some of the best rugby to be played, in my opinion.

“No words are enough for the loss of a truly wonderful man.”

David Collinson (Former York RL chief scout)

“I was chief scout for Bill Kirkbride at York and I was watching Geoff over at Waterhead in Oldham when he had a great game.

“I spoke with him and Bill signed that night and it was in the Sunday People News paper the next morning in John Robinson’s Column

“He was a great person and player. Rest in peace, Geoff.”

Sharon Shortle (BBC Radio York Sport)

“Geoff Pryce was my first ever hero. He was my favourite player when my dad first took me to watch York when I was little.

“My first question was always ‘Is Prycey playing?’ I was lucky enough to meet him when I got older and I got to tell him what a hero he was.

“I’ve got so many memories of watching him play, from being a flying winger to moving into the pack later in his career. He never took a backward step.

“He’ll always be a legend to those who saw him play in amber and black.”

Andy Atkinson (BBC Radio York Sport)

“My first visit to Clarence Street was on October 23 1983, drawn perhaps by the attraction of visitors, Cardiff City, and their converted Welsh rugby union internationals.

“I walked out of the ground after the game with two new sporting heroes, both of whom were York players.

“Half back Graham Steadman and winger Geoff Pryce terrorised the opposing defence that day and those images are still easily recalled.

“In both that season and thereafter I always found that, wherever the action was on the pitch, one would have half an eye on ‘Prycey’ and, usually, it wasn’t long before he was in the thick of it again.

“There is little wonder that he became such a fan’s favourite, as either fleet-footed winger or barn-storming second row in a wonderful York career.

“He was some player, never to be forgotten.”