HE was a man who embodied the spirit of amateur rugby league, with a passion and drive that laid the foundations for countless people to play the sport they love.

Harold Swift, the Blackbrook ARLFC chairman, died early on Saturday morning at the age of 79 after his health deteriorated following a chest infection.

He passed away hours after learning his 19-year-old grandson Adam a former Brook junior, would make his Saints debut on the wing in the Challenge Cup tie against Widnes.

His death came in the week his beloved Brook clinched the North West Counties Premier Division league championship for the first time in their history.

In a cup final played at Moss Lane on Tuesday night, the Brook players wore warm up t-shirts that bore the words ‘Harold’ on the back in tribute, while loved ones joined players on the pitch for an emotional minute’s silence.

The glowing tributes that have poured in have underlined how widely Harold was admired.The former Royal London Insurance agent served the sport at local, county, and national level for more than half a century, as a coach, administrator and player.

They were efforts that earned him an MBE for services to rugby league in St Helens eight years ago, when he was described as a “bedrock of the game”.

A father-of-five and grandfather-of-nine, he lived at Laffak with his wife Mavis, 76.

His son Alan, 53, told the Star: “A week before he had been watching Saints vs Wigan on the television, typically shouting at the screen.

“He had been struggling with a chest infection and his health just went worse through the week.

“It had been his 79th birthday on the Friday and he was pleased all the family and his grandchildren had been around.

“He knew Adam was in line to make his debut at Widnes and so it is very sad he never got to see him play for Saints. I’m sure he was watching somewhere though.

“The response we have had from people has been overwhelming. Business people have said to me that if he had had turned his hand to running his own business like he ran Blackbrook he would be a millionaire over and over.”

Dave Hunt, a Blackbrook open age spokesman, told the Star: “There would be no Blackbrook without Harold. He is a legend in amateur rugby league circles.

“The club has produced so many players down the years who who have gone on to play for Saints, other professional clubs and Great Britain - and Harold must take credit because of the way he grew the club.“

After beginning a playing career with Brook as a hooker, aged 20, he took on administrative roles, becoming acting secretary of the old rugby section a year later before becoming club chairman at 26.

He continued playing until he was 38 and was pivotal in the growth of a club that went from players getting changed in chicken sheds to having some of the best facilities in amateur sport.

He was also associated with Barla (British Amateur Rugby League) since its formation in 1973, touring Australia and Papua New Guinea.

In 1974 he coached Barla Great Britain to their first overseas victory in France.

He remained a trustee of Barla and the chairman of St Helens amateur rugby league association.

A funeral will take place at noon on Friday, April 27 at St Helens Parish Church, followed by a service at 1.30pm in St Helens Crematorium.