Championship club pays tribute to former player Kyle White following passing at age 53

It has been a sad few days for rugby league.

Sadly the body of former Wigan Warriors, St Helens and Bradford Bulls player Bryn Hargreaves was found on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, former South Sydney Rabbitohs hero John Sattler has also passed away as has former Canterbury Bulldogs and Wests player Kyle White at the age of just 53.

White also played for the Widnes Vikings who have paid the following tribute to him today:

The club are saddened to learn of the death of former player Kyle White at the age of just 53.

Kyle passed away in his sleep at his home in Penrith in his native Australia.

He will be remembered as a mobile forward who hit hard in defence and who was a popular figure in Widnes both on and off the field, having had a stint as the licensee of Kelly’s pub in the town.

Kyle joined the club part way through the 1997 season and was soon appointed club captain by coach Graeme West.

Between May of that year and his last game for the club in August 1998, he made 48 appearances for the Vikings, scoring 9 tries.

A former Australian international at schoolboy level, before joining Widnes Kyle represented Canterbury, Wests and Illawarra in the ARL/NRL and Workington Town in the UK.

He had a brief spell at Lancashire Lynx following his departure from the Vikings.

The club sends its condolences to his brother Josh – the former London Broncos and Salford half-back – and to all of Kyle’s family and friends.