A Durham-born England rugby player who captained the national side five times died on Christmas Eve.
Mike Weston, born in 1938, passed away on Christmas Eve aged 85.
Mr Weston learnt his sport at Bow School and Durham School and became an ardent follower of the Durham City RFC club where he would later become a player until 1968.
While still in education he volunteered as a touch judge in many matches.
On leaving school in the summer of 1956 he won his place in the first XV and was in the cup-winning side of 1957. In the following season turned the City side into a point scoring machine and what became one of the clubs most successful spells.
He went on to lead Durham County Rugby Football Union from 1961-1968 winning the Northern Championship six times.
Mr Weston made his England debut against Wales at Twickenham in January 1960 and went on to play for his country 29 times in the following eight years - every single tie out of his usual position.
On five of those occasions, he wore the captain’s armband, including during a 1963 tour of Australasia.
His last international outing was during a Canada in the autumn of 1968.
Mike Weston hung up his rugby boots retiring from playing in 1968, but went on to take charge of the England side during the first world cup in 1987.
He later played a role in building a cricket centre in Durham, then ran an estate agency in the city.
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In 1997, then 59, he was sworn in as High Sherriff for the county – a role he held for a year.
Paying tribute to their former player Durham City RFC posted on social media: “With deep sadness we share that news that City legend Mike Weston passed away [on Christmas Eve].
“A former Club captain and Honorary Life Member, in latter years Mike would often be seen on the sidelines watching his beloved blue and gold. Mike will be much missed and our thoughts are with Helen and the family at this difficult time.”
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