Derek Hinchley, who played for Barrow Raiders in the 1954 Lancashire Cup final against Oldham, has passed away at the age of 88.

Derek was a tough and skilful player who operated on the wing or second row, signing from Walney Central in 1951. He played first team level in 56 games crossing for 18 tries.

Although he was a talented player, Derek found it difficult to pin down a regular position in the first team as he was up against international players in a star-studded team of the 1950s.

While a strong and hard running winger, he played second fiddle to Great Britain wingers Frank Castle and Jimmy Lewthwaite. and while he was a good second row forward again he was up against Great Britain forward Jack Grundy and England pack-man Reg Parker.

However, he got on with his career and gave great service to the club’s ‘A’ team which was a very strong outfit.

He made his first-team debut as an 18-year-old scoring a try against Cardiff and scored many hat-tricks in the ‘A’ team.

Derek picked up a winner’s medal for the second string when they won the league title in the Lancashire Combination in 1955/56 season.

The 1954-55 season saw Derek play 22 first team games and he was a surprise choice for the Lancashire Cup final. The week previous he came in on the wing for the game at Leeds and had a good game and was handed the number two shirt for the final, with Lewthwaite a travelling reserve.

Derek played his part in the 12-2 win over Oldham in 1954 at Station Road, Barrow’s first major final victory in over 80 years.

But disappointingly for Derek he was to miss out on Barrow’s first-ever Challenge Cup final which saw the club defeat Workington 21-12 at Wembley in 1955.

He played in the first-round win at Dewsbury but the great Jimmy Lewthwaite regained his place on the wing to play in other rounds and the final.

John Rea who played in the 1957 cup final said: “So sorry to hear the news. Derek was a good lad and a very good player. He was very strong, very elusive with a fine turn of speed.”

Derek rounded of his playing days at Blackpool in the 1959-60 season. He later took over as landlord of the Railway Inn at Lindal.