HUNDREDS of people have paid tribute on social media in the wake of the death of Berry Hill RFC head coach Ian ‘Sedge’ Seymour.

The popular coach, of Edge End near Coleford, died on Tuesday, December 22 after an 18 month battle with cancer.

Friends of the 59-year-old said he did so much for the rugby community, having started his rugby career almost 40 years ago as a player on the pitch.

Chairman of Berry Hill RFC, Nick Harris said: “Ian was a well-known and very popular man.

“Ian joined the club as a young lad and played in the back and centre rows; he played for the county and in the first team up to the age of 40. He helped coach clubs including Lydney and Monmouth.”

Close friend and former colleague, John Belcher added: “I remember meeting Ian in 1976 when he came to coach the under-16s team. He was captain eight times during the 1970s and 80s and worked his way up to head coach and director of rugby.

“He was such a friendly person and no doubt he will leave a big gap in the Berry Hill RFC community. He will be sorely missed.”

The funeral of the father-of-two was held yesterday (Tuesday) at Christ­church Church.

•A full tribute to the man who was dedicated to rugby can be read in next week’s Review.