Rugby league mourns passing of former GB captain Frank Myler, aged 81

Former Great Britain centre and captain Frank Myler has passed away, aged 81.

Myler was the last captain to lead GB to victory over Australia in an Ashes tour, when the Lions won two of their three games in 1970 to claim a series win.

At club level he had stints with Rochdale, St Helens, Swinton and Oldham, as well as winning the Challenge Cup with hometown club Widnes in 1964 in front of a 84,488 capacity crowd at Wembley.

In a statement on Twitter, the Vikings said: “Widnes Vikings are heartbroken to hear the news of Frank Myler’s passing.

Heartbroken to lose a great friend, my love and thoughts to all the family today, X Rest well Frank ? pic.twitter.com/iddkQrVHJD

— Jim Mills (@millsjim44) March 27, 2020

“Frank led his hometown club to glory both as a player and a coach, and is also the last GB captain to lift the Ashes. Our thoughts go out to the Myler family at this difficult time.”

Rochdale also expressed their sadness at the news: “Frank was made a ‘Hero of Hornets’ in 2016, being selected in the club’s all-time XIII,” said a statement on the club website. “Former Chairman Mark Wynn, and ex-player Chris Churm, presented Myler with a commemorative shirt.

“The thoughts of everyone at Rochdale Hornets are with Frank’s family, friends and loved ones and this incredibly sad time.”