Rugby fan Bob Fry was the driving force behind Wootton Bassett Rugby Club's success.

Club chairman Phil Williams said everyone who knew him was shocked and saddened.

"For many years, I played rugby with Bob," he said. "He was a superb character and he was a real stalwart of the club. He did lots of things behind the scenes that nobody ever saw.

"He was a super guy, who talked to everybody and it's typical of what he would have done - seen kids in trouble and jumped into the water to save them.

"He was a quiet man with a heart of gold. It is a sad loss to the community of Wootton Bassett Rugby Club.

Club vice chair Chris Elias said: "Bob must have been with us for nearly 30 years and was really devoted to the club - his death is very sad for us all and we will miss him greatly."

Mr Fry joined the club as a player about 26-years ago and after many years representing the town at matches, he became vice president.

Fellow player Ian Miles said his friend was the life and soul of the party whenever the group went on club tours.

He said: "He was a real driving force behind organising club events and trips away.

"Whenever you were in his company you were happy, he just had a way of making you smile.

"He was a great man and we will be sadly missed."

Another member said: "The Frys were a loving, close family. Debbie was always walking the children to school. They were very close-knit.We are all shocked about it. It is so dreadful. It is so awful for the children."

Another rugby member said Bob was good fun.

"We thought he had a dry sense of humour," she said. "He was a popular member of the rugby club. I have known him for many years."

A minute's silence will be held by the club ahead of Saturday's game against Frome.

The club have also cancelled its vice president's lunch as a mark of respect.

Mr fFry's passion for sport didn't stop at rugby.

Football coach Dave Terry, a friend of both the Frys and the Dinsmores, said he couldn't believe he saw the families last Monday.

He said the tragedy left the community in shock.

Mr Terry, who runs Wootton Bassett Under-11s, said: "I was at football training with George, Alex and Roy on Monday. They were in great spirits and really looking forward to the trip.

"We always get the families together for barbecues and fireworks displays.

"It is tragic to think we'll never have everyone together again. We have lost some great friends."

Bob was also involved with the Brinkworth Cats FC (BCFC) under-10 team, where he was a manager of the B team.

A statement from the club said: "Bob's son George was an original member of BCFC when it was founded in the summer of 2004. Throughout Bob took great interest in his son's football, even though at first it went against the grain because his first love was rugby.

"An example of Bob's great involvement in the club was displayed this summer when he organised for all his fellow managers and their sons a fantastic trip to the new Wembley stadium to watch England v Brazil.

"The next day BCFC, including George, participated in Wootton Bassett Town FC six-a-side tournament - which they went on to win. Bob went on to describe it as one of the best weekends of his life.

"He readily became involved in the club's activities, both on and off the pitch and particularly enjoyed organizing and participating in the many social activities held by the club.

"During a recent match in which George played, he scored an equalizing goal in the dying seconds from a free kick. George was so overjoyed he shed tears of happiness, Bob described it as a really proud father-son' moment and was beaming from ear to ear.

"Debbie would always lend her support to the team from the sidelines and readily cheered George on.

"Both Bob and Debbie will be sorely missed by all the players and parents of BCFC."