FORMER Barrow, York and Millom rugby player Bob Coglan has died at the age of 85.

He passed away surrounded by his family at his home in Haverthwaite on Wednesday.

A larger-than-life character, Mr Coglan was born in Kirkby Lonsdale but his school days were spent in Ulverston where he joined the local amateur rugby club.

Such was his talents that at the age of 14 he made his open age debut against the Barrow Puffers.

One year on he switched codes moving to Furness playing alongside two rugby league greats in Bill Wookey and Bill Burgess.

He stayed at Furness for several years gaining selection for Cumberland and Westmorland.

At the age of 21 he joined the Army playing for the Royal Signals regiment before progressing to the full Army side becoming a PTI.

On leaving the forces, he turned professional with York where he spent four years.

On New Year’s Day in 1963 Bob came to Barrow playing 31 games scoring two tries.

However, injuries took their toll and he retired in 1965.

Not to take a back seat, Bob turned his hand to coaching with Millom where he also played having three successful seasons with many trophies on the mantel piece.

He also coached the Barrow Inter-league side.

In 1969 he made a return to the pro-game with Blackpool before ending his RL career coaching Holker Pioneers.

Former Millom secretary Vernon Edmondson said: “It is such a shock and upsetting. Bob was one of our best ever coaches.

"He was hard but fair and had no favourites. He influenced everyone at the club he was a true character.

"The sad news comes on the back of another club stalwart “Tally” Thompson who passed away last month”

Former team mate and Great Britain Amateur captain Ron “Ceddy” Jackson added: “Bob was a winner at all costs. He had a big heart and it was brilliant to play alongside of him. He had a lovely pair of hands. It is a sad day.”

Barrow Island stalwart John Jefferson said: “I was his apprentice in the yard. He was a tough guy on the pitch and took no prisoners, he loved the craic."

He was married to wife Mary for 60 years and leaves daughters Kim and Jill, son Robert and six grandchildren.

Mary said: “We were all with him in his last hours and it was special that Jill got the green light to fly in from Hong Kong to be with him.”