Legendary rugby league caller Frank Hyde has died at the age of 91.

Mr Hyde died early on Monday (24/9/2007) at a Sydney nursing home where he had been staying since suffering a stroke in July.

Family members say he watched Manly beat the North Queensland Cowboys in the preliminary final on Saturday night and lapsed into unconsciousness on Sunday with the football on in the background.

In a distinguished football career, Hyde played for the Newtown Jets, Balmain Tigers, North Sydney Bears and NSW. He scored a try for the Tigers in their winning grand final in 1939, and captained NSW in the same year.

He was captain-coach of North Sydney the last time they reached the grand final in 1943, but they were well beaten by his original club Newtown.

Hyde began his radio career in 1953, calling games into a microphone set up on a card table on the sidelines.

He called 31 consecutive seasons for Sydney radio station 2SM without ever being beaten in the ratings.

His catch cry of "It`s long enough, it`s high enough and it`s straight between the posts" became part of the fabric of the game.

""His influence was enormous and there are generations of fans who, every time they watch a goal being kicked, to this day hear in their mind the words `it`s long enough, it`s high enough ...`."

Hyde retired as a player in 1945 but continued coaching and became a qualified referee.

Although the Second World War robbed him of the chance of playing for Australia, Hyde led Kangaroos supporters tours and was always invited to reunion dinners.

He charmed people with his stories and renditions of Irish songs.

He made a recording of Danny Boy which made it into the top 10 in the 1970s.

A devout Catholic throughout his life, Hyde is survived by six children, six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Gaby, his wife of 64 years, died earlier this year.

He was awarded an MBE, an OAM, and the Dally M Life Achievement award.

Last year he was inducted into the radio hall of fame.