Former Nottingham Rugby Football Club coach and president Dai Roberts has died at his home in Vancouver Island, in Canada, aged 81.

DAI Roberts, born in Bangor in Wales, joined Nottingham RFC as the first official coach appointed by an English club in 1966.

He was credited with revolutionising the club with his passionate style and took Nottingham into the top flight.

He carried out the role until 1977, when he found his services were in demand and was appointed technical director of the Canadian RFU.

Roberts, who also coached what was known as the Three Counties of Notts, Lincolnshire and Derbyshire, had to resign from his day job as head of PE at Carlton le Willows Grammar School, in Gedling, to move to Ontario.

He was on a basic salary of £15,000, which made it one of the best-paid posts in world of Rugby at the time.

In the same year, he was also elected only the second life member of Nottingham Rugby Club.

Former Nottingham RFC skipper John Elliot, who knew Roberts well, said: "Dai was an inspirational and knowledgeable coach and his work during the late 60s and 70s elevated the club to new heights and also laid the foundations for the success they were to enjoy in future years.

"He was a hard taskmaster and many players, at school, club and county level, benefited from his great passion for the game and loyalty to the teams he coached."

Roberts, a former player with Llanelli and London Welsh, also coached the West German national squad and had invitations from South Africa, Africa and Europe.

He also had an outstanding record as a schools' coach. His Notts 19 Group lost only once in ten seasons.

Roberts came back to Nottingham in 1987 to manage a branch of Gascoignes, the estate agents, in Angel Row. But he eventually returned to Canada in 2005 to be close to his four children – daughter Glain and sons Gareth, Elwyn and Gwynfor.

His wife, Joan, said he was a wonderful family man.

"Although many knew Dai from the rough and tumble world of rugby, his grandchildren Nia, Gryffin and Twyla will remember him as their dacu (Welsh for grandad) who showed them how to pick peas in the vegetable garden he loved spending so much time in.

"Since retiring to Canada in December 2005, David enjoyed a full life and took his competitive spirit to the lawn bowling greens, sharing many happy days competing in tournaments and trying to better his own results.

"He continued to support school rugby by cheering on the University of Victoria's rugby team."

She added that Dai, whose full name was David, was always inspired by a quote from Winston Churchill – "you make a living by what you get; you make a life by what you give".

Roberts kept life-long relationships with many of the boys he coached from his early days at Carlton le Willows Grammar.

"He loved the game and he had many fond memories of the people he got to meet and the places he had the opportunity to visit as a result," his wife added.

Roger Peel, who worked with Roberts at Carlton le Willows, said: "David filled the role of director of physical education at Carlton le Willows with huge distinction.

"He was a remarkable rugby coach and the school's formidable reputation on the rugby field spread well beyond Notts.

"Yet David was not simply a rugby fanatic.

"He was a man of conviction and faith based firmly on the strong chapel background of the Welsh valleys and it is no surprise that his second teaching subject was religious education, which he taught at A-level."

He added: "He was a big man with a big voice and he didn't always suffer fools gladly, but he gained universal respect from the boys and men to whom he gave total commitment.

"He was a particularly loyal friend to many."