Rugby stars pay tribute to former Halifax coach Roger the Dodger - '˜the best player ever'

THE RUGBY league family came together to say farewell to the late, great Roger Millward yesterday.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Jun 2016, 09:05 BST
Updated 1st Jun 2016, 10:08 BST
The Funeral of Rugby League Legend Roger Millward, at St Marys Church, Kippax.31st May 2016 ..Picture by Simon HulmeThe Funeral of Rugby League Legend Roger Millward, at St Marys Church, Kippax.31st May 2016 ..Picture by Simon Hulme
The Funeral of Rugby League Legend Roger Millward, at St Marys Church, Kippax.31st May 2016 ..Picture by Simon Hulme

Hundreds of mourners attended St Mary’s Church in Kippax, near Leeds, yesterday for the funeral service of the man affectionately known as ‘Roger the Dodger’, who coached Halifax RLFC in 1991/2.

Many fans were sporting the colours of Hull Kingston Rovers, the club where he wrote his name into rugby league folklore after joining from hometown side Castleford in 1966.

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Familiar rugby faces in attendance alongside Millward’s widow, Carol, included Neil Fox, John Joyner, Garry Schofield, Daryl Powell, David Oxley, Danny Orr, Lee Crooks, Mike Stephenson and Johnny Whiteley.

The Funeral of Rugby League Legend Roger Millward, at St Marys Church, Kippax. Hull KR supporters pictured at the funeral..31st May 2016 ..Picture by Simon HulmeThe Funeral of Rugby League Legend Roger Millward, at St Marys Church, Kippax. Hull KR supporters pictured at the funeral..31st May 2016 ..Picture by Simon Hulme
The Funeral of Rugby League Legend Roger Millward, at St Marys Church, Kippax. Hull KR supporters pictured at the funeral..31st May 2016 ..Picture by Simon Hulme

Paying heartwarming tribute to his friend, Whiteley described him as “the best rugby league all-round player I’ve ever seen in my life”.

Neil Hudgell, chairman of Hull KR, who are nicknamed The Robins, said: “Sleep tight Roger the Dodger, the greatest Robin ever.”

Millward, who had fought a battle with cancer in recent years, died last month at the age of 68. He was awarded the MBE in 1983 for services to sport.

Related topics:Halifax