Rugby stalwart dies aged 62

Dave Fletcher, 62, died on November 25 following a heart attack days after coming home from Barbados, where he wed his partner Alison.

His daughter Lindsey Fletcher-Lister said: “He was not just my dad, he was my best friend.”

Ex-Caphouse Colliery worker Mr Fletcher, who lived at Highfield Crescent in Overton for 25 years, captained Ossett’s first team from 1980-83.

Playing alongside his brother Martin, ‘Fletch’ took young players who became veterans such as president Pete Bradshaw, Charlie Walker, Jeremy Broadhead and Sam Drury under his wing.

Vice-president Mr Broadhead said: “I knew Dave for 30 years. He lived life to the full. He loved to tell a good yarn. And he was an all-round good boy.”

A minute’s silence was observed on Saturday during the club’s clash against Morley.

Mr Fletcher, a financial director at Technical Control Systems in Morley, later joined Denby Grange Cricket Club and every Sunday played with his son-in-law Dean Lister at Wolley Park Golf Club.

Mr Lister runs the Black Swan in Overton with Lindsey, and said it was packed on Friday in tribute to the man. “Dave was one of the nicest men you could ever wish to meet. Everytime he left the pub we would say to everybody, ‘Flecther’s departing the building’.”

Surviving family include mother Dorothy, wife Alison, Lindsey and Dave, brothers Martin and Steven and their wives Jo and Val. He also leaves grandchildren Joseph, Charlie, Matthew and James, nephew Ryan and niece Rebecca.