CHAIRMAN of Liverpool St Helens RU club, Alan Walker, has died aged 63, a month after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

LSH president, Ray French spoke for officials, members and players at the club when he said: "Everyone at Moss Lane is completely devastated. Our thoughts are with Val, Nick, Chris and their families at this tragic time.

"Alan had an unrivalled passion and enthusiasm for the game. He would do anything for anyone and was a tremendous inspiration to us all. He is a massive loss".

Alan became LSH club chairman in 1999 after being rugby chairman for the previous 10 years. He worked tirelessly, not just for LSH, but for the development of rugby union across Merseyside, Lancashire and beyond.

Educated at Cowley School, where he began a life-long friendship with Ray French, Alan joined the teaching profession at Grange Park school and subsequently became deputy-head at Penketh High until his retirement in 1997.

He made his debut as a winger for St Helens RUFC in 1958 while still in the sixth form, represented Lancashire at schoolboy level and was a virtual ever-present until finishing his playing days in the back row in 1970, after being club captain in 1967/68.