A rugby league stalwart for over 10 years has died aged 80.

Eddie Whitehead, who played for Oldham and Barrow, was known as "one of the good guys and friend to so many".

He began his career at the now defunct St Marys under 19s side 61 years ago, a team with so much talent in the likes of Gordon Westwood, Billy Goulding, Alf Ireland, and the late Frank Hill to name a few.

Mr Westwood said: “What a loss, he was a nice fellow who could play in most positions a nice lad indeed." 

Mr Goulding added: “Eddie was a brilliant player, a fair player who would stand no nonsense, he was a smashing lad, we grew up together in Hindpool.”

Mr Ireland said: “Eddie was a great lad a very rangy player with long strides, what a shock.”

Brian Foster recalls the days he played alongside Eddie at Barrow.

He said: “He was a quiet guy and always did what was expected of him on the field.

"A nice man who would never fall out with anyone, he was a good all-round player very versatile it is a sad day.”

Eddie signed for Barrow as a 20-year-old in 1962 making his debut at Oldham with his final game for the club ten years later, at Salford, he earned a well-deserved testimonial year in 1972.

In all, Eddie played in 178 games scoring 38 tries. He was very versatile playing in the forwards and also in the back division. 

He was a model clubman and never had any issues with anyone he would play in any position that he was selected for, never once would he complain.

He once said: "It was the team that really counted, not the individual."

In 1971/72 season he was the only member of the team to play in every game 38 in total scoring 16 tries.

He ended his playing days at Listers in the Barrow League.