YORK RUFC legend Allan Robertshaw has died aged 78.

Allan was a stalwart at Clifton Park, playing more than 1,400 games in the green and white hoops of York - with his 1,075 first-team appearances earning him a mention in the Guinness Book of Records.

Since joining York in 1959, Allan had been a dedicated clubman and one of his last acts was to donate a four-figure sum to the New Stand Development Fund.

“He leaves a tremendous legacy and a massive gap to fill in the running of the club,” York press officer Rob Long said.

“Allan was still involved as fixture secretary and operations manager, kit manager and even washed the kit for all the senior teams. His garage and the kit and equipment in there is one of legend.

“I first met Allan in the old club when I used it for Friday night drinks with some friends. The man could tell stories and he had many of them.

“The first match I saw at Clifton Park was when he took a third-team fixture and played the full game on his 60th birthday. If that was typical of the people at York RUFC, I thought I’d come to watch again!”

At 6ft 5ins, Allan was an imposing lock forward with a great sense of humour who played for Archbishop Holgate’s School as well as for Yorkshire Colts. He once scored six tries in a game for the Colts in a match in 1959.

His first XV debut was at Scarborough.

Known as ‘Big Al’, after his 1,075 first-team appearances for the firsts, he added more than 300 games for the third team.

He played in five Yorkshire Shield finals, winning two, drawing one and losing two.

Allan passed away peacefully on July 23 following a long illness.

His funeral will take place on Wednesday, August 4. Humanist celebrant Michelle Burns will conduct the service in front of the stand overlooking the main pitch at Clifton Park and afterwards, guests are invited to remember Big Al in York Sports Club.

Close family will leave after the service for York Crematorium before returning to the club.