Tributes paid to 'classy' gent, Cliff Hill

Cliff Hill is mobbed by Bill Francis, Geoff Lyon and Johnny Jackson after scoring a vital try against St Helens at Central Park in 1968

He made nearly 200 appearances for Wigan between 1964 and 70, including their Challenge Cup Final win against Hunslet in ‘65.

Three years later he scored Wigan’s only try in a 7-4 victory against St Helens in the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final. In 1970 he made history when he became the first ever substitute in a Challenge Cup Final.

His former team-mate Colin Clarke said: “He was a very classy stand-off and a great team player, a joy to play alongside, and a great servant to the club.

“I last saw him about 18 months ago and he looked in great shape, and I said to him, ‘You look fit enough to play’.

“Of the ‘65 Final team there are only five of us left – Billy Boston, Ray Ashby, Frank Parr, Tony Stephens and myself. He was a gentleman off the field and he will be sorely missed.”

Hill, who was 78, won one GB cap and later played at Oldham.