A former player for Barrow Raiders, who featured for the side in two cup finals at Wembley, has died.

Maurice Redhead, who signed for Barrow back in 1955, was 88 when he died at Furness General Hospital.

Maurice pulled on the number nine shirt on 245 occasions for Barrow in a career spanning 13 years, crossing the line to score 11 tries.

Mike Murray, one of his old teammates, said: "I am so sad to hear the news, we were such close friends from our working days then at rugby league with Barrow."

Mr Murray took the time to reminisce about some of the more peculiar aspects of Maurice's career.

"We would socialise a lot and I well remember before going onto the field he would plaster his hair with Vaseline, not only for protection to his ears, but if an opposition player tackled him around the head, they would be covered in grease," he said.

"I will miss him - he was a smashing lad and friend.”

The Mail: Maurice alongside his Raiders teammatesMaurice alongside his Raiders teammates (Image: Barrow Raiders)

As a 19-year-old, Maurice joined Barrow from local side Marsh Hornets, making his debut away to Warrington in 1956.

Two Challenge Cup finals were the highlights of his playing days, going up against Leeds in 1957 and then Featherstone a decade later.

He remained first choice hooker until his retirement in 1969 before becoming the well respected chairman of the Barrow league.

The Mail: Maurice at a players reunion in 1995 which brought back the squad of 1961Maurice at a players reunion in 1995 which brought back the squad of 1961 (Image: Barrow Raiders)

His granddaughter Laura Dodd said: "He had a great influence on myself and my sister Sophie getting into sport, always on hand with advice.

"That's why I got involved in the game, he just loved his rugby and would talk about it for hours on end."

The current Barrow Raiders coach Paul Crarey joined in with the tributes to say how Maurice was 'one of the greats for the club'.

Tommy Dawes, another teammate, added: "I have so many good memories of Maurice, he was such a good hooker and he did his job to perfection."

Maurice is survived by his daughter Kathryn, sons Mark and Jason, and granddaughters Laura, Sophie, Emily and Phoebe.