HEAD coach of Weston-Super-Mare Rugby Club Steve Worrall – affectionately known as Barrel – has passed away.

Mr Worrall, who the club described as “widelt respected”, died on Thursday, January 2, the club said.

Having been in the top job at Weston from 2011 to 2014, Mr Worrall moved to Chew Valley RFC as assistant coach, before becoming head coach.

Last year, he returned to Weston, where the club said his “drive and enthusiasm for the game were rewarded with two victories before the festive break”.

As well as his roles in the west country, Mr Worrall spent several years as a coach at North Walsham RFC and Peterborough RUFC.

He was also a player, head coach, and assistant director of rugby with the Royal Air Force Rugby Union.

In 1993, he captained the Combined Services side that took on the mighty All Blacks. Playing at scrum-half, he claimed the Services only points with a penalty from near half-way.

However, his love of sport was not restricted to rugby. He joined Uphill Castle in 2000 and opened the batting for the 2nd XI for many years.

After retiring from league cricket, he went on to play for the Uphill Strugglers and the Uphill Castle Golf Society.

Mr Worrall served in the RAF for more than 35 years, rising to the rank of Warrant Officer, before leaving the service in January 2013.

He started a new job within the Military Aviation Authority, based at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol.

In January 2014, he moved into the Explosives Safety Licensing Team Manager position within the Defence Ordnance Safety Group, within the MoD, before returning to the aerospace industry as a manager within Combat Air’s Crew Escape Systems Team.

He was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2011.

After the sad news, and with the agreement of Steve’s wife, Jackie, the Weston-super-Mare match at Thornbury on January 4 went ahead, with a minute’s silence held before kick-off.

Weston United’s home game against Wellington 2nd XV also observed the silence in memory of Mr Worrall, with players wearing black armbands.

“Steve was widely respected and liked in many circles, not just in rugby, and his passing will leave a significant gap in those communities,” a club spokesperson said.

“Weston-super-Mare RFC offers sincere condolences to Steve’s family during this difficult time.”