Sporting stalwart and president of Dudley Kingswinford Rugby Club, John Richards, has died at the age of 77.

The club has been rocked by news of his sudden death due to a heart attack last week. A devoted member and player, as well as a colourful character, John “Viv” Richards joined the club in 1947 as a player at the old Penzer Street ground, next door to where he lived.

After leaving the club briefly to complete his national service in the Royal Air Force, he returned to sign up again as soon as he could. Before the move to Heathbrook in Swindon Road, Wall Heath, he served as club secretary and fixture secretary. In those days, the club had only a gas ring and frying pan for after-match refreshments, and John is well remembered for frying pounds of sausages and making piles of sandwiches for visitors.

At Heathbrook, he played wing forward, took up refereeing and then served for five years as club president. John also had regular radio shows on BBC Radio Manchester, Merseyside, Stoke and Lincolnshire, as well as guest slots on Radio 2. John’s other great passion was real ale, and for many years he was chairman of the Dudley and South Staffs Camra branch.

He published four books, including Pubs and Breweries of the Old Dudley Borough, and until recently helped to market micro breweries in the area.

Club spokesman Roger Port said: “John was the master of bonhomie.”

John leaves a daughter and grandchildren. His funeral is tomorrow at St Mary’s Church, Kingswinford, at 11am followed by refreshments at the clubhouse.