Sir Bill Beaumont pays tribute to top Fylde prop Mike Hindle

Hindle was a top prop forward who captained the Woodlands club in the 1960s and early 1970s, also representating Lancashire and North West Counties on many occasions.

He hailed from a Ribchester mill-owning family and made around 300 appearances for Fylde.

Beaumont, the chairman of World Rugby now back helping Fylde in these difficult times, said: “Mike was part of an excellent Fylde front row along with Bill Baxter and Terry Horrocks.

“His quality was recognised through regular appearances for Lancashire and the North West Counties.

“He skippered the club during it’s 50th anniversary season in 1969.

“I played a number of games in the same pack in the early 1970s, when I got into the first XV.

“I also knew him through business dealings – he was a very nice man.”

A Fylde RFC statement reads: “Mike had been ill for the past couple of years. Everyone at the club sends sincere commiserations to widow Pat, his son and daughter, other family members and friends.

“Fylde’s flag at the Woodlands will be flown at half- mast in coming days in honour of Mike.”