Tributes have been paid to a "family-orientated, passionate and proud" man who made appearances for Leicester Tigers and taught young rugby lovers at Woodbridge School.

Mike Lubbock passed away in the early hours of January 11, surrounded by family, at the age of 90.

He was born in Salhouse, Norfolk, on April 29, 1932, and was much loved by his wife of 65 years, Jill, children Jo, Sarah and Adam, and grandchildren, Jessica, Megan, Hugh, Olivia and Ruby, who referred to him at Pops.

Mr Lubbock's son, Adam, said: "My dad was passionate, about sport and family.

"He was so many things, he was a very proud man and a very family-orientated man.

"He was very active in family life and everyone was devoted to him.

"He gave his time to other people, not just to us, but to wider society and helped numerous children who were looking to take up sport for all areas not just rugby.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mike Lubbock (centre) Mike Lubbock (centre) (Image: Adam Lubbock)

"He loved his sport, but he calmly introduced his children to sport rather than forcing it on them."

Mr Lubbock had a very illustrious rugby career, making 95 appearances for Leicester Tigers between 1955 and 1961, before moving to Suffolk with his wife, and starting work at Woodbridge School.

While at Leicester Tigers, he was flirting with the England team on multiple occasions.

Adam continued: "He loved the tours with the Tigers, he went to Wales and up north to Newcastle and Scotland and met some fantastic lifelong friends at Tigers, including the best man at his wedding."

East Anglian Daily Times: Mike Lubbock made 95 appearances for Leicester TigersMike Lubbock made 95 appearances for Leicester Tigers (Image: Newsquest)

Once Mr Lubbock had started work at Woodbridge School, he had even modelled the first 15 shirts of his time there, after his beloved Leicester Tigers, changing the colour and including the stripes.

In the last two years, Mr Lubbock lived with dementia but passed away from pneumonia.

Adam said: "He never experienced the worst of it which is good, he still remembered his family and important moments of his life.

East Anglian Daily Times: Mike Lubbock playing rugby for Leicester TigersMike Lubbock playing rugby for Leicester Tigers (Image: Adam Lubbock)

"I think they call pneumonia an Old Man's Friend because it takes people away before they suffer the hardship.

"We are very very fortunate that his passing was peaceful and we were all with him when he took his last breath at home.

"It was all very peaceful and there was incredible care from the NHS and the hospice team, it was phenomenal, to be honest."

Mr Lubbock will have a close family funeral, held at Woodbridge Rugby Club, with the flag draped over his coffin having the logos of all his previous clubs, and bearing the colours of Leicester Tigers.

East Anglian Daily Times: The flag that will be draped over his coffin featuring the logos of all previous teams and Leicester Tigers coloursThe flag that will be draped over his coffin featuring the logos of all previous teams and Leicester Tigers colours (Image: Adam Lubbock)