Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity legend Bill Ashurst in hospital

Former Wigan Warriors and Wakefield Trinity star Bill Ashurst is in hospital.

That’s according to his daughter who posted on Facebook in a bid to get ‘the rugby league family praying for her dad.’

A Facebook post read: “Can I ask the rugby league family to offer prayers for wigan and Penrith legend Bill Ashurst. Leanne, Bill’s daughter, has asked me to get the rugby league family praying for her dad. Bill has been admitted to hospital and isn’t well so please let’s get together as a family and pray for a guy who has given us rugby people many magic memories over the years. God bless Bill Ashurst “

Ashurst, of course, is famous for being part of the Wigan side in the late 1960s and early 1970s, registering almost 500 points in 165 games.

A successful spell at Penrith Panthers soon followed with Ashurst – who could play at centre or second-row – registering another 46 appearances from 1974 to 1976.

A move back to the UK followed and it was back to where it all started – Wigan – before a seven-year spell at Wakefield Trinity came about.

He retired in 1984, but Ashurst hung up his playing boots for good after turning out for Runcorn Highfield as a player coach in 1988.

Throughout his career, the 74-year-old earned two caps for Lancashire and another three for Great Britain with Ashurst also coaching Wakefield and Runcorn.

Everyone at Serious About Rugby League passes on their well-wishes to Bill and his family.