Dave Stockwell, whose half-back partnership with Tommy Smales, inspired Bradford Northern to their 1965 Yorkshire Cup triumph, has died.

After coming to the sport from rugby union, Stockwell joined Halifax, signing for Northern in 1964.

Described as an all-action stand-off with a swift turn of pace and a devastating side-step, he made 321 appearances for Northern between 1964 and 1977, scoring 38 tries and kicking one goal.

Northern’s player of the year twice, he was also in their beaten 1973 Challenge Cup final team at Wembley and left them in October 1977 to become player-coach at Batley – a role he fulfilled until June 1979 when he had 12 months as coach at Bramley.

His funeral is next Friday at St Barnabus’ Church in Weeton, near Harrogate (2pm).