TRIBUTES have been paid to a Durham City and British Lions rugby star said to be one of the greatest hookers of his era.

A one-club man, Stan Hodgson played for Durham into his late 50s, was capped 11 times by England and represented the Lions in South Africa. He died last month, aged 86.

His friend Jim McManners said his sporting achievements were outstanding, but told only a fraction of his remarkable life.

Born in Durham, Mr Hodgson was brought up by his grandmother, aunts and uncles – his mother having died when he was just three months old.

Having been schooled in Durham and completed national service, he spent most of his working life at Mackay’s carpet factory But rugby was his overriding passion.

He won his first international cap at the late age of 32 and, fearing his age would damage his chances, never allowed it to be entered into programme notes.

He toured South Africa with the British Lions in 1962 and although he broke his leg in the first match, was asked to stay on for the whole tour because of his positive influence on the squad.

“In an era when hookers where selected for their ability to strike for the ball, his mongoose-like reflexes and incredible suppleness made him simply the best,” Mr McManners said.

“In club and county matches it was not unusual for him to win almost all of the scrums, on one occasion leaving the seasoned Yorkshire hooker in tears.

“Stan was 11 stone of sinew and muscle, almost always the smallest forward on the field, his technique was to encourage the props to lower the scrum to the point where only his wiry flexibility allowed him to strike, when necessary with his head.”

A fitness obsessive, he never owned a car, never missed a training session and didn’t drink or smoke.

He represented Durham County 72 times, played rugby competitively until he was almost 60 and was awarded the MBE for services to rugby in 1986.

He still ran half-marathons and worked out well into his 70s but a suffered stroke two years ago. He was buried at Durham's woodland cemetery.

Mr Hodgson is survived by his wife Doreen and children Jean, Gary, Lynn and Anne.