He made just 29 appearances for Bradford Northern during the 1960s but Idwal Fisher made a lasting impression on the club and the city.

The popular Welsh forward, who died in Lockerbie aged 76 on January 5, began his career with Swansea RUFC before he switched codes and joined Warrington, for whom he made 47 appearances and scored five tries.

He then moved to Bradford during the summer of 1964 when the newly-reformed Northern were assembling a squad virtually from scratch.

Fisher made his debut for Bradford against Hull KR in August 1964 and his experience and leadership qualities proved invaluable for the fledgling Odsal team.

He scored his only try for the club against Keighley later that year and played his last game in a 12-8 play-off win at Odsal against Warrington on April 15, 1967.

Away from the rugby field, Fisher settled in the Bradford area and, after retiring from playing, he built up a successful business in Dudley Hill, preparing vegetables for the catering trade. Hewas often referred to as “The Spud man.”

Fisher introduced his brother Tony to rugby league, who went on to play for Great Britain.

He is survived by his wife Peggy and their four children Keith, Andrew, Lynn and Sharon.