As LeRoy Angel stepped forward to become the 99th President of the RFU, all over Hampshire the rugby community was beaming with pride.

But there was no greater amount of pride than at Winchester RFC, where the winger played over 500 first XV games between 1962 and 1978. Only a horrific knee injury curtailed his career at 33.

An elusive runner with an enviable scoring record, Angel could have easily joined one of the big London clubs of the time and progressed his game to a higher level.

The fact that he did not and continued in the black and gold of the county capital outfit has written him into the club's folklore and club President Dai Henley, a former teammate, is delighted that he should be honoured.

"When I joined the club in 1972, all I kept hearing was how good he was. But he wasn't at the first few training sessions so I thought I was in. Then he arrived and blew me away!

"He was a different class, quite the most outstanding player Winchester have had in my opinion. He could have left and joined a bigger club and he would have played for England, but he stayed exceptionally loyal to us.

"That is the level of the man and we are more than overjoyed that a local boy should now be at the helm of rugby in England."

Hampshire President Jed Stone was also delighted for good friend Angel, whom he has known since he set foot onto the turf for his county debut against Sussex in 1968.

And he even joked about Angel's hatred of fireworks at rugby games - a feature of internationals he has said he will be doing his best to get rid of.

Having held the positions of Hononory Team Secretary, Chairman of Selectors, Chairman of the London Coaching Sub-Committee and subsequently as the county President, Stone was full of praise for the Basingstoke-based architect.

"He has done an exceptional job as our RFU representative over the last 20 years. He is well like and respected, not just here in Hampshire across the country and around the other home nations.

"He will be a success, I know, because he knows what rugby is all about - and it is not about fireworks!

"We just hope he has a successful and calm year of presidency and we all wish him good luck in his twelve- month stint."