Tommy Sale: Rugby league player most of whose life was devoted to the town of Leigh and its club

Very few men in rugby league have been synonymous with one club for as long as Tommy Sale. Sale, who has died at the age of 97, was involved with his home-town club in Leigh for most of his long and eventful life. He was a familiar figure at matches up to and including last season, watching latterly from his wheelchair and, in effect, acting as an ambassador for the club.

His connection with Leigh went back, however, to helping to operate the scoreboard at the old Mather Lane ground while still at primary school, and bringing the star player and part-time groundsman, Billy Woods, his pies at lunch-time.

It was genuinely a dream come true for him when he signed for the town's professional club at the age of 20 after being spotted playing for Cable Works. Like many players of that generation, his best years were stolen from him by the Second World War, during which he served in Italy and the Middle East. He played just nine games in his first season before normal competition was suspended.

After the War, Sale briefly played as a guest for Warrington, before returning to Leigh. Playing mainly in the half-backs, he made a total of 82 appearances, including captaining the side in the first post-war game against St Helens in 1947.

His importance to Leigh already extended far beyond the pitch. He was the leading light in the re-creation of the club and the building of a new ground at Kirkhall Lane, which saw supporters dismantle the main stand and re-erect it on the other side of town.

When he lost his first-team place, he went back to the amateur ranks, playing for Wigan Road Working Men's Club. The big surprise was when he was bought by Widnes for a fee of £450. That brought him an Indian summer, in which he scored two tries in the Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Bradford Northern. The final was a less memorable occasion, Widnes going down 19-0 to Warrington at Wembley.

After the end of his playing days in 1950, Sale coached a variety of teams, combining that with his career in teaching, which saw him eventually become a headmaster. He was responsible for much of the schools rugby that ensured that Leigh, for a small town, continued to produce more than its quota of good young players.

At various times he was a director of the club, secretary and assistant secretary, president and groundsman. He was awarded the MBE for his work on behalf of the code and one of the roads leading to the club's new home, the Leigh Sports Village, is named in his honour.

He was perhaps best known in recent years, though, as a long-serving and meticulous time-keeper at Leigh's home games. In many ways, he was a symbol of the heritage of the club, although he never stopped looking towards the future.

Watching latterly from his wheelchair, Sale enjoyed Leigh's recent successes. The current squad learned of his death when they arrived in the Canaries for pre-season training.

"Tommy was … the single most influential person in the history of Leigh Rugby League Club, and his passing marks not only the end of an era and involvement spanning 90 years but means that somehow things will never be the same again," said a statement from the club. "Tommy loved Leigh and he loved Leigh Rugby League Club, the players, the fans, the volunteers, the officials, and he realised the huge importance of the club to the fabric and well-being of the town."

Thomas Sale, rugby league player, coach and teacher: born Hindsford, Lancashire 21 July 1918; MBE; died 3 January 2016.