TRIBUTES have poured in after the sad passing of an “absolute gentleman” who devoted his life to rugby.

A post published on Facebook from Alloa Rugby Club confirmed the death of James Gracie, known as Jimmy, on Wednesday this week, June 26.

He was 79-years-old.

A former rugby player and knitwear businessman, Jimmy struck up a long standing association with Alloa Rugby Club which carried on following his retirement from playing.

He served as the club’s vice president and then eventually president, before ending on a role as the honorary vice president at the club.

He then went on to serve on the Midlands District Committee and then the combined committee with the North, before joining the Scottish Rugby Union General Committee.

Jimmy rose through the ranks to become junior vice president, with former colleagues paying tribute to a legend of the game.

Graham Kerr, a former colleague from Alloa, North and Midlands and Scottish Rugby, told the Scottish Rugby website: “Jimmy was a typical Hawick man – never flustered and a real gent.

“He was Mr Rugby at Alloa and even though his health had been failing in recent years, he would still come to the club.

“There’s been a lot of sorrow in the WhatsApp messages since we learned of Jimmy’s passing, but all the messages have been really complimentary.

“I don’t know anyone who had anything bad to say about Jimmy. He’ll be much missed.”

Born on September 12, 1944 in the Scottish Borders, Jimmy played as a centre/stand-off with junior clubs in Hawick.

His career in knitwear led him to Montreal in 1967, before he returned to Scotland and carried on his work in Tillicoultry.

Despite being sent to Israel with work in the 1980s, he carried on his love for rugby, serving as a referee to local games there, before launching Callant Knitwear on his return home.

He leaves behind his wife Ann, sons Stuart and Brian and his daughter Julie.

Many friends and fans left comments under the Alloa Rugby Club’s post, paying their respects to a man who defined rugby in the Wee County.

One described Jimmy as an “absolute gentleman”, while another insisted he was “truly devoted to rugby and was also a huge part of my fond times at ARFC.”

Jimmy’s funeral will be held on Thursday, July 11 at 1pm at Stirling Crematorium, with a wake then held at Earlsfield.