KEIGHLEY Cougars have shared the news of the sad passing of former player Tommy Searle, who has died at the age of 73.

The Australian played at Lawkholme Lane during the late 1960s and early 1970s, alongside fellow countrymen Ivan Pascoe and Jon Green.

At the time, the Keighley club were happy at getting value for money for their £2,000 outlay on the trio - and the Aussies achieved their objective of getting experience of what they called 'clearly the best standard in the world'.

Searle made 32 first team appearances in three seasons at Keighley.

On Twitter, Cougars called him one of their "greatest Australian players" and said they extended their condolences to Searle's family and friends.