Tributes following death of Wigan legend Dave Bolton

Dave Bolton with Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan in Sydney in 2014. Picture: Phil Wilkinson

The former stand-off played 300 games for his hometown club for a decade until 1964 before moving to Australia and taking their competition by storm.

He spent five years at Balmain, winning a Grand Final in '69 and later being inducted into the club's Hall of Fame. He was only the second Brit to win an Australian Premiership.

Bolton, who played eight times for Great Britain including the 1960 Ashes triumph, settled in Australia and had coaching stints with Parramatta and Penrith, as well as working as a radio summariser.

Dave Bolton reading a copy of the Wigan Observer during a trip back to his hometown in the 80s

Former Wigan captain and coach Colin Clarke described him as a "brilliant player, when he spotted a gap he was lightening."

Australian great Garry Jack posted: "Very sad to hear of the passing of Dave Bolton. A champion player and a great bloke."

Ralph Rimmer, the RFL's chief executive, said: “Dave Bolton’s career records speak for themselves. He won the Ashes with Great Britain, he won Challenge Cups and the Championship with Wigan, and then he was one of the first British players to enjoy success in Australia.

“I know he will be mourned by his former Wigan and Great Britain team-mates, and by supporters of Wigan and other clubs who remember watching him play. We send our deep condolences to his family and friends, and give thanks for his life and his contribution to rugby league.”

Dave Bolton is helped off the Wembley pitch

Wests Tigers extended the club's condolences to his family, describing him as "one of the finest English players to join the Sydney competition".

Bolton announced himself on the big stage when he scored two tries on his Wigan debut in 1954.

He was twice a Challenge Cup winner with Wigan at Wembley, against Workington Town in 1958 and Hull FC the following year, when he scored a try, and also played in their Championship Final win against Wakefield Trinity at Odsal in 1960.

He then joined the Balmain Tigers, and after losing a Grand Final against St George in 1966, Bolton was judged the outstanding player in their shock 11-2 triumph against South Sydney at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1969.

After playing a part in the decisive try and kicking two drop goals, which were then worth two points, Bolton was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal retrospectively when Australian Rugby League celebrated its centenary in 2008.

In 2014, he linked-up with his hometown outfit when the Warriors held a function near the Sydney Opera House ahead of their appearance in the World Club Challenge.