Keighley rugby league legend Bob Kelly died this week, aged 75, after suffering a stroke.

The popular Irishman made Keighley his home after travelling to England in the late 1940's.

He came from the village of Tullamore in Southern Ireland and had served in the Irish Army. He joined the British Army at the end of the war and served as a military policeman in Palestine and India.

After returning to Keighley he began playing soccer with the St Annes team and also played Gaelic Football which was popular at the time.

Together with Frank Moorby, father of the present Cougar coach Gary Moorby, he was invited to play rugby league and they joined the old Co-op Rugby team which was also associated with the Eastwood Tavern.

It was not long before the ability of the amateur player was spotted by the town's professional club and he joined Keighley RLFC. He went on to play for Wakefield Trinity and Batley in a career which saw him reach the Yorkshire Cup final with Wakefield in the 1950's.

He also represented the 'Other Nations' at a time before Ireland, Scotland and Wales had their own national rugby league teams.

His playing career saw him span some of the greatest era's in the game, when he played alongside many of the Keighley club's legends.

They included Len Ward, who now lives in Steeton, who remembered his former playing partner. "He was a top man, a superb player and a very good forward. When he went on a run everyone knew they should back him up," Len said.

He worked at Emu's wool mill and at the wool warehouse of Walls Shipping, and later became a builder.

Several years ago he suffered a serious fall when he slipped off a roof, and injured his shoulder, but recovered to return to work.

He was a popular member of the Keighley Cycling Club, in Cavendish Street, and also socialised at the Catholic Club

He was taken ill at home, where he lived alone, and died early on Thursday morning at Airedale Hospital.

He is survived by brothers and sisters who still live in Ireland.