Rugby club stalwart dies aged 33 ahead of match

A LEEDS Rhinos ambassador who was known for his passion for the club has collapsed and died before a match.

Raymond Greenfield, 33, was drinking in the Original Oak in Headingley with friends ahead of the match against Toulouse Olympique on Saturday when he was taken ill.

He is believed to have suffered a cardiac arrest and died in Leeds General Infirmary after other pub-goers desperately tried to resuscitate him.

Mr Greenfield, from Burley, was well-known among Rhinos supporters and was nicknamed No 1 Ambassador in recognition of his love for the club.

His father Douglas said two people believed to be armed forces personnel had tried to save his son, with one running down the road to get a defibrillator.

He said Raymond, who worked in a bank data centre had dyspraxia, which affects coordination and movement, and was a quiet person but very well-liked among his friends and devoted to the Rhinos.

He said he had a “wonderful 33 years of loving memories”.

Paying tribute, the Rhinos’ head of customer experience, Sian Jones, said: “We were deeply saddened to hear the news about Raymond.

“He was a fantastic supporter of the club and one of our first ambassadors, who did a tremendous job of supporting the club out in the community. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends at this time.”

A JustGiving page has been set up to raise money for a Rhinosthemed blue and amber floral tribute to display at Mr Greenfield’s funeral, and it has already exceeded the £600 target.