TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of legendary former Keighley and Great Britain international rugby league player Terry Hollindrake.

The hugely popular former winger, who suffered a stroke a number of years ago and had been in a nursing home ever since, passed away last week, aged 80.

A phenomenally talented and noted goal-kicker, Hollindrake will be remembered fondly by legions of supporters and players at Cougar Park following his long association with the club and indeed the town.

A Keighley lad, Hollindrake was a product of Keighley Albion who went on to become Keighley's only homegrown international rugby league player after playing for Great Britain in the Third Test at Headingley against New Zealand in 1955.

Hollindrake made his first-team debut in January 1953 away to Salford and, just over a year later as a 19-year-old, he scored two tries as Keighley beat Wigan for the first time ever.

He played 221 games, scored 104 tries and kicked 320 goals before a transfer to Hull FC in October 1960 followed by a spell at Bramley.

He returned to Keighley in 1968 and played 26 more games with nine tries and four goals.

After he finished playing, Hollindrake worked as a window cleaner in Keighley and he was also a prominent member of Keighley's ex-players association.

Cougars chairman Gary Fawcett said: "For the club it is very sad to see the passing of Terry Hollindrake.

"He was a gentleman who made the town and the club proud by being our only ever homegrown rugby league international.

"His rugby league career stands testament to the kind of character he was and I am sure he will be missed by all who knew him. Our deep condolences go to Terry's family."

Former Cougars player and head coach Gary Moorby joined the tributes to Hollindrake, with both men having been involved in the club's Ex-Players' Association along with the likes of Paul Moses and David Kirkley.

Moorby said: "The greatest accolade I have heard about Terry came from one of his playing colleagues who said 'Terry's one fault was that he made you lazy. If you gave him the ball and he had one player to beat, you didn't have to back him up because you knew it would be a certain try'.

"There probably would never have been a Keighley Cougars without Terry as, with his beloved home town club in a poor state, he introduced mutual friends Mick O'Neill and Mike Smith to each other and inspired them on their course to put the town's rugby league team on the map.

"The rest, as they say, is history. Terry was a giant of the game as far as Keighley RLFC are concerned.

"He was a great player who represented Great Britain as well as being a very popular and well-liked person.

"Although Terry also played elsewhere his heart was always at Keighley where he returned to join the coaching staff for a time. "Terry never forgot his roots and he was a regular face at amateur games as well as at Cougar Park; Terry just loved his rugby.

"Terry was also a familiar face at its annual Ex-Players Association gatherings prior to his poor health.

"On behalf of the club and all former players we offer our sincere condolences to Terry's family."

Meanwhile, Cougars are reminding supporters that the club's first home friendly of pre-season takes place on Sunday with the visit of Swinton to Cougar Park (3pm kick-off).