Tony was an unusual and exceptional talent playing rugby union as a stand-off before being signed to rugby league as a flying, try scoring winger. Tony left Kendal grammar school as a 15-year old and played soccer for a season before joining Kendal RUFC.

By the time he was 17 he was playing for Cumberland and Westmorland at stand-off where he gained 15 caps. At the age of 21 he was signed by Whitehaven Rugby League club for the princely sum of £2,000 - enough to buy a house in Kendal at that time.

He played for the army during his national service and recorded 10 seconds for the 100 yards. He was a clever and speedy winger, becoming top scorer at most of the clubs he played for. He moved to Workington in '63 , Blackpool in '68 and in '71 to Salford , who were viewed as the top side at that time. He Returned to Barrow in '73 before retiring in '75.

Tony had a long and illustrious career which saw him win the rugby league County Championship on five occasions, each time as a member of a different club. He was a member of the Cumberland team which beat Australia at Derwent park and at the age of 31 he scored 2 tries in Salford's game against New Zealand's World Cup side.

Tony gained 34 caps for Cumberland and Westmorland,15 at Rugby Union and 19 at Rugby League and was a rare rugby talent, who was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of fame.

Rip Tony

Chris Hayton - Director of Rugby