Former Hertfordshire Rugby Football Union president and player John Stuart Atkinson has received a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list.

Atkinson BEM played for 20 years for Hertford Rugby Club with nine years as captain and had 23 games for Hertfordshire in the County Championships.

He was president of Hertford RFC for three years and was also president of the Hertfordshire RFU.

Atkinson has worked behind the scenes, refereed, and been a club committee member and a fixture secretary for more than 10 years.

He said: “It’s a great honour and I’m extremely flattered. I must thank everybody in Hertfordshire Rugby with whom I have worked and become good friends with over the years.”