DURSLEY Rugby Club coach Ross Reeves has died suddenly at the age of 60.

The hugely respected coach, who lived in Wotton-under-Edge, suffered a heart attack on Sunday.

In a post on Dursley Rugby Club’s Facebook page, Ross' wife Sally said: “His children Jack and Jess and me are completely devastated and in total shock about Ross's passing.

“Dursley Rugby Club was a massive part of his life for the last 20 years. I know he touched a great many of your lives and in turn he gained a good deal in coaching and playing at DRFC.

“I hope when the current situation changes, many of you will join us in celebrating his life in an appropriate way. In the meantime we thank you for your sympathy and encourage you to remember the top bloke he was.”

Dursley Rugby Club said that it was shocked and saddened at Ross’s passing.

It said: “As many of you know, Ross has been a coach in the club youth set-up for many years, including as Colts Head Coach for the last several years.

“He has also been captain and player for the Nomads (3rd team) for several seasons, and has been a mainstay of our success in keeping the Nomads going, as well as in helping to develop and transition so many youth players through to men’s rugby, making a huge contribution to the club over many years.

“He is also very well known across the wider rugby community.

“Our love and thoughts go out to wife Sally and children Jack and Jess, as well as to wider family and friends at this sad, sad time.

“The club will find a way to properly commemorate and pay tribute to Ross when circumstances allow.”

With most people unable to attend Ross's funeral because of the coronavirus restrictions, Dursley Rugby Club is now inviting everyone who knew Ross to raise a glass in his memory, at kick off time, 2.30pm, on Saturday.

The club said: “After the tragic news of the passing of a local rugby legend, Ross Reeves, everyone at Dursley RFC wanted to pay tribute to a top bloke who was our current Nomads captain and Colts coach.

"With the current situation, we're calling on all the rugby family to raise a glass for one of our own.

"We feel it would be a fitting tribute , if at 2.30pm on Saturday (usual kick off time), everyone joins together and raises a glass to Ross.

"Amstel was Ross's drink of choice.

"We would like everyone to take a photo of themselves raising the pint and post it with the hashtag #RaiseAGlassForRoss.

"Let's show how well thought of Ross was."