WING Commander Paul Raby, a popular figure in Midlands rugby circles, has died after a short illness at the age of 89.

He was secretary of Bromsgrove RFC from 1964 to 1983, a former president of Worcestershire & Herefordshire RFU, a former member of the North Midlands county committee and long-serving member of the county's disciplinary committee. Most of his rugby was played in the RAF, whom he joined in 1938.

He played as a scrum-half for Kingswood School in Bath and, after working as an articled clerk for a chartered accountant's firm in Bury, he joined the Air Force.

He served in Germany, Egypt and Canada and took up refereeing during his time in the services.

When he joined Bromsgrove in 1963 he made an instant impression by wearing a monocle and driving into Finstall Park in a Rolls Royce. He succeded Tim Morris as secretary and served the club with distinction until his retirement 20 years ago.

His forthright views on rugby were put into print in a regular column in the Bromsgrove Messenger written under the pen-name 'Finstall Park'.

He remained a staunch supporter of Bromsgrove and county rugby - he was on the touchline when North Midlands played their Tetley's County Shield game against Leicestershire at Kibworth in May - until his death last week.

Wing Commander Raby was pre-deceased by his wife Pauline. He leaves a son, Jonathan, and daughter, Jenny. His funeral will take place at Tardebigge Church on Friday at 11am.