www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/21316314 Not sure if you heard this on Sunday, but the passing of BBC Radio Five Live commentator David Oates aged only 50 and after a short illness. He was best known for his many RL commentaries on national radio, including calling several of Leeds' grand final victories. George Riley, another well known Leeds RL fan on Radio Five Live, was in tears this morning when they did a tribute around 08.30, which featured Oates calling a couple of Leeds GF tries. In this day and age, Rugby League could do with as many friends as it could get within the media so the passing of someone as talented and knowledgeable about the game will be sadly missed all the more.

www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/21316314 Not sure if you heard this on Sunday, but the passing of BBC Radio Five Live commentator David Oates aged only 50 and after a short illness. He was best known for his many RL commentaries on national radio, including calling several of Leeds' grand final victories. George Riley, another well known Leeds RL fan on Radio Five Live, was in tears this morning when they did a tribute around 08.30, which featured Oates calling a couple of Leeds GF tries. In this day and age, Rugby League could do with as many friends as it could get within the media so the passing of someone as talented and knowledgeable about the game will be sadly missed all the more.

RIP Mr Oates, a sad and untimely passing.

Still stunned two days later by this news and I heard George Riley on 5 Live like the Admiral and it was heartbreaking.

I will always remember the smile on his face and he was a great game caller. Remember him when he was the Manchester United reporter for Radio Manchester back in the day and was impressed when he got a job with 5 live. I was also fortunate to share a beer with him in Perpignan back in 2005 after the London v Leeds game and had many a chat with him at Headingley pre-game. His duffel coat was a regular sight around the press benches.

He was Blackpool football mad and made no secret of it. He had great tales of his travels around Europe while covering football and some insights into covering football abroad. After getting into covering football it was always a good to see David in the press room before the game, head deep in the paper when maybe he should have been researching for the game ahead but he always had time to talk to you and he knew his onions.

Football and Rugby League are poorer for the loss of David Oates. He will be missed by many.