Witney RFC are planning to honour the club’s first captain, Doug Richens, who died suddenly while on holiday last week, by staging a floodlit match in his memory.

Richens, 72, from Carterton, was a founder member when Witney started up at Dark Lane in 1965.

He went on to become the first player from the club to be selected for Oxfordshire, and also played for Oxford.

A forward, who was equally at home in the second row or at No 8, he had two spells as Witney captain, before retiring from the game when he was in his 40s.

He was a vice-president and a regular supporter, with his son, Alan, playing in the first team.

Paying tribute, club secretary Pat Holt said: “He was a great personal friend and could only be described as a tough gentle giant.”

Witney have recently had floodlights installed on their main Hailey Road pitch, and Holt hopes to stage a night match in Richens’ memory.

Richens also played cricket for West Witney, squash and golf.

He worked as an engineer at Smith’s in Witney, and their subsidiary company, Sifan Systems, before his retirement.

He leaves a widow, Shirley, a son, Alan, three daughters, Denise, Alison and Amelia, together with six grandchildren, Matthew, Daniel, Luke, Charlie, Abigial and Olivia.

Details of the funeral have yet to be announced.