Born in Cumbria, Leo was possibly best known as Chief Executive of Northern Rock but actually started work as a teacher in the Royal Army Education Corps and had a lifelong interest in educational issues, serving on the board of governors at Newcastle College since 1995 before becoming Chairman in 2001.

He moved into finance as a clerk at the Northern Counties Building Society, one of the constituents of what was to become Northern Rock. He was steadily promoted and was Chief Executive when it floated in 1997, standing down in February 2001. He also served 13 years on the board of Bellway, the Newcastle housebuilder, was Chairman of Northern Recruitment Group and Chairman of the charitable Northern Rock Foundation. In 2005 Leo was awarded an honorary degree by Northumbria University.

He joined Novos in 1976, playing for the 3rd, 4th,5th, 3A, 4B, Kestrels and 7C XV’s up to 1987 and was captain of the 4th XV in the 76-77 season.

So, two surprises so far, firstly how many teams we ran back in the day, and secondly, what was such an intelligent fellow doing with the reprobates of Sutherland Park?

In truth, Novos fitted Leo like a glove, enabling him to relax and enjoy his Saturdays away from the pressures of work but bringing his intelligence and wicked sense of humour to his team-mates whilst never taking the game too seriously. Playing at Houghton one day in the rain, the referee stopped the game to ask if the full-back should be playing with his head so heavily bandaged – Leo was wearing a carrier bag on his head to keep his hair dry…

A life-long lover of opera, he also tried to educate his team-mates on a trip to London by taking them to the Festival Hall to watch a choral piece by Handel – the lads were unimpressed.

He always had a few motivational words to bring a smile to the team should we find ourselves trailing heavily away from home in freezing conditions – for example, Ashington away in February when a dog walker cut across the pitch during the game to allow his dog to do its business on the way, Leo quipped, “There’s always a critic…”

Leo was also instrumental in the highly successful 2011 campaign which would raise over £350,000 to level, drain and floodlight the pitches, without which we would not be able to play the number of games we now do.

Our deepest sympathies go to his wife, Alice and the whole family.

John Dias