Tributes paid to rugby legend who sadly passed away

Ceddy, as he was fondly known, played for Millom in the 1960s when the club played at their old Salthouse Road ground.

A brilliant player, he was speedy and most feared to those that played against him.

He was not the tallest, but a man with great talent who not only played for the club but was first team coach when the Woolybacks reached the national cup final in 1985-86 season losing to Mysons of Hull.

A team picture from 1986/1987 featuring coach Ron Jackson, top left

A Cumberland County player at under 19s and Open Age level, Ceddy went onto represent England, a team that he captained.

At the age of 29 he had four trial games with Barrow but never signed. However he finally took the professional ticket age 33 spending two years at Whitehaven only for a broken leg to end his career.

It was back to his roots at Devonshire Road where he took up coaching, first with the under 19s where he produced fine players like “Mob” O'Brien, Peter Dawson and Craig Evans, then at Open Age level. As a player and coach he won every honour in the Barrow and District league.

Ceddy was still a good supporter of the club and was at Devonshire Road last Saturday for the game with Hensingham.

He also played alongside brother Joe when Millom ran Hunslet close in the rugby league cup and was coach when they almost upset Wakefield in the John Player Cup.

Chairman of Millom Craig Evans said: "Ceddy was a local cult hero and a good man who was my first coach, a man that you looked up too and respected, when he spoke you listened.

"Whereever you went in the Country while playing in the National league, people would always ask how is “Ceddy” - he was so well known."

Club stalwart Garry Kelly added: “Such a sad day - he must have been one of the best to pull on a Millom shirt.

"I never had the privilege seeing him play but he was a fine coach, a local legend it was a pleasure being in his circles. His death came as a shock to the community he will be sorely missed”

Barrow Island stalwart of over fifty years John Jefferson said: "Ceddy was a fantastic player - a man I have a lot of time for.

"You never liked playing against him, especially at Millom where players would soon develop Millom flu, so they wouldn't have to play.

While former chairman Peter Date added: “I am devastated. He was the greatest player ever for Millom and I can't speak highly enough about him.

"He was a great player; on the field he would kill you, but off it he was a true gentleman.

"It was a honour to have played with him and a honour to have known him”

Ceddy's other love was his vegetable patch growing leeks and onions and he would go to shows all over the country.