JEAN Evans, a secretary, administrator and mother figure to hundreds of Newport Rugby Club players for four decades, has died.

She started at Newport Athletic Club, which became Newport Rugby Club just before the team's historic victory over New Zealand in 1963, and served under secretaries of the calibre of Bill Everson, Nick Carter, Doug Ackerman and Campbell Black, and chairmen Alf Panting, Bob Evans, Brian Jones, Bob Atkins and David Watkins.

Mr Watkins, who has enjoyed an illustrious career with Newport, as well as Wales and Great Britain in rugby union and rugby league, paid Mrs Evans a glowing tribute.

"Jean goes back all the way to Bill Everson's day. She represented everything that Newport is good at, and she looked after me as though I was a member of her family," he said.

"She was very caring, the first to assist with the players, and her heart was with Newport RFC.

"She knew everything, she always pointed you in the right direction and she went further than what was expected of her.

"She had an incredible knack of welcoming people to the club, and she epitomised the respect I have for Newport RFC.

"I had tremendous respect for her. It's very sad and she will be greatly missed, obviously by her family, but also by everyone at Newport."

Accounts manager Colin Taylor worked with Mrs Evans for every one of her 40 years at Newport RFC.

"She was the most loyal friend, an amazing woman who was well thought of by all her friends and colleagues," he said.

Mrs Evans leaves a husband, Norman, two sons, Greg and Adrian, and a grandson, Joe. The funeral will be at St Michael's Church, Malpas, Newport, on Thursday at 2pm.