THE FAMILY of a man who dedicated more than three decades to the local rugby league community has shared a touching tribute to his life.

First as a player and then as a coach, committee member, and Vice Chairman, Phil Molyneaux spent 34 years of his life at Leigh East and devoted his life to both the club and the local community.

With a desire to help the next generation of athletes become better players and better people, Phil coached age groups from the under-8s right up to the Open Age team.

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Phil also had a family connection to Leigh East as his two sons played and his daughter has coached there, and the Ledgard Avenue club announced his sudden passing, aged 63, on Saturday, March 18.

The dad-of-four and grandad-of-two suffered a heart attack not long after returning home from a holiday in Benidorm with his wife Mandy.

Leigh Journal: Phil was a much-loved dad, grandad, husband, and friendPhil was a much-loved dad, grandad, husband, and friend (Image: Mandy Molyneaux)

Speaking about her late husband, Mandy said: "Phil spent 34 years at Leigh East [...] and that was his passion. He spent time with almost every age group from 8 up to 18, as well as some time with the Open Age. We have a family connection there as our sons played and our daughter coached there too.

"He was also a workaholic, and sometimes worked seven days a week while working his way up as a surveyor in the construction industry.

"He was very opinionated but I think people respected him for that - and he never held grudges!

"But he loved nothing more than spending time or having a meal with his family."

Leigh Journal: Teams at Leigh East observed a minute's silence following Phil's passingTeams at Leigh East observed a minute's silence following Phil's passing (Image: Leigh East)

Following the announcement, hundreds of tributes and messages of condolences flooded into Leigh East and the Molyneaux family; highlighting the impact Phil had on people in the local community.

This also included a tribute from Leigh Leopards, who called Phil a "stalwart" of the Ledgard Avenue rugby club.

Appreciative of this support, Mandy added: "As a family, we just want to thank everyone for their support and messages of condolences we have had over the past week.

"This has really helped us as a family and especially for family members who didn't realise how much of an impact he had on the community."

Mandy said that people are welcome to pay their respects to Phil at his funeral, which will be announced in the coming days.