THE FUNERAL took place on Tuesday of former rugby league player Eddie 'Ed' Wilkinson who died following a battle against Motor Neurone Disease.

Eddie, who was known to all as 'Big Ed', was born in the Gorbals district of Glasgow and come to Keighley with his parents, Tom and Jean, and brothers Tony and Ken, in 1957.

St Joseph's Roman Catholic Church was packed for the service on Tuesday.

Ed joined Keighley Albion ARLFC as a 16-year-old playing for their Under-17s team and a year later went for trials at Keighley RLFC with long time friend and fellow team mate Peter Smith. He returned a year later and under the guidance and coaching of Jimmy Colton developed into an outstanding open side prop forward, proving to be a fine scrummager and ball-getter.

Early in the 1970's Ed, along with out outstanding young local players Jack Coan, John Philbin, Jack Riley, Derek Feather, Bernard Brosnan and David Jickels, was encouraged by director Jack Holmes to try one again at the professional game with the Keighley club. Had Ed not been averse to hard training he could have gone to the very top in the professional game of rugby league.

Besides being the anchor man in a very good Albion side with his awesome presence and skills in the scrum, Ed was equally devastating in loose and open play. At 6ft 3ins tall and weighing 19st he was very quick for a big man over 10-15 yards.

His size and power coupled with clever ball handling skills meant he was able to take on three or four would-be tackles and off load the ball to supporting players, creating endless breaks and scoring chances - a skill much lacking in today's game except in the top echelons.

In 1983 Ed, along with Worth Village's scrum-half, Martin Plunkett, gained representative honours with Halifax and District ARL, playing against an outstanding New Zealand Mauri touring side, man of the whom later gained international honours.

Ed continued to represent Halifax and District ARL with distinction on many occasions. He retired from playing rugby, finishing his career with a season at Keighley Celtic.

Ed served his time as a painter and decorator and after several jobs became a Residential Social Worker in 1987 at Tong Park Remand Centre at Baildon, Shipley until its closure in 1996.

With his wife, Lisa, Ed took over the Causeway Foot pub at Ogden, Halifax, and latterly ran the Kings Head pub on Halifax Road, Keighley.

Ed is survived by his wife Lisa, children Thomas, Rebecca, James and Daniel, his father Tom and brothers Tony and Ken.

Ed was a larger than life character - an awesome sight on a rugby field, highly respected and revered by team-mates and opponents alike. Off the field he as an affable, easy going genial giant. He was 'The Man' -- and will be sadly missed.

David Ingham