Philip Claxton with wife Alison and children Mary, left, Tom and Laura on holiday in Florida in February this yearRugby mad former first team flanker Philip Claxton died last week, leading to Minety Rugby Club's game with Bournemouth on Saturday being called off as a mark of respect.

The devoted father and loving husband died of a heart attack while out playing golf on Chipping Norton Golf Course for a work event on Tuesday, October 5.

Tributes have flooded in to the family as friends come to terms with the loss a man described by members of Minety Rugby Club as the best wing-forward to ever play for them.

He was an honorary vice-president of the club.

Alison Claxton, 37, who lives with their three children, Tom, 11, Mary, 9, and Laura, 8, at their home in Poole Keynes, near Kemble, said Mr Claxton, 38, enjoyed life, loved to laugh and never put off anything.

She said: "He was a real family man and there was nothing he liked more than all his family getting together and he was close to them all. He enjoyed his life but it was too short. He lived it to the full."

Mrs Claxton said he loved spending time with his children.

"He took them to golf lessons and Tom to rugby and football. He took the girls out horse riding."

Mr Claxton was rushed by Oxfordshire Air Ambulance to Horton Hospital in Banbury but they were unable to revive him.

Mrs Claxton said: "Family and friends have been amazing. I cannot believe how many people care and there are cards and people coming with flowers.

"We were saying yesterday how many peoples' lives he touched in some way or another."

Mr Claxton, a building estimating manager for Stoneform in Bristol, was married to Alison for 14 years.

Mother-in-law Catherine Hazell said: "He was good fun and really kind. He was a very helpful guy and everybody liked him."

Mr Claxton also played skittles, went fishing and played a war strategy game using soldier figurines, which he painted himself, finishing second in the World Championships in Derby last year.

Playing every Friday he would see his parents, Pam and Bryan, and younger brother, Martyn, in Weston-Super-Mare, and then travel to see his older brother in Yatton to compete in war gaming.

Andy Claxton, Mr Claxton's brother, said "He was like a best mate. We got on so well, we spoke almost every day and we never had any quarrels.

"He had hundreds of friends across many sports and hobbies. He had skittles, rugby and war gaming friends and they are all gutted."

Friend and fellow rugby player Dave Peirce said he was devastated by the loss and Mr Claxton was a great friend, great father and great rugby player.

"He was a very good rugby player, a good tackler and a good runner and scored numerous tries.

"If not the best back row we've had at the club he's one of the best.

"He scored a try once that was not a try but which was on the 22-metre line and when he turned round and put his hands up and cheered we were like 'great but you've got another 22 metres to go mate.'

"He was one of the nicest blokes and will be sadly missed by all."

The funeral for Philip Claxton takes place on Monday October 18 at 1pm in All Saints Church, Kemble.

Family flowers only and donations to Oxfordshire Air Ambulance and Winston's Wish.