Last updated at 12:56, Friday, 12 August 2011

Challenge Cup winner Vince McKeating who helped Workington Town to victory at Wembley has died aged 91.

The Workington-born hooker, who went on to represent Great Britain and England, winning two caps, for each, died in Aldingham Nursing Home in Ulverston.

After playing his first senior game as a guest for Leeds in 1945 against Featherstone, he then made his professional debut at Dewsbury against Bramley later that year.

He moved back to Workington in 1948 and did not miss a game in his three seasons at Derwent Park where his reputation as a tough number nine grew.

He played in 206 games for Workington, including the 1951 Championship final, where they lost out to Warrington at Maine Road, Manchester.

He then went on to star in Town’s Wembley Challenge Cup final win against Featherstone in 1952 before heading down the coast to Barrow in 1953 where he went on to make 121 appearances.

In the 1954/55 season, he won two medals, firstly the Lancashire Cup after victory over Oldham and then at Wembley, where he helped beat the town of his birth, Workington.

Town chairman Dave Bowden said: “I have heard about Vince and his achievements, it was a tough game then and suited his old fashioned hooking skills.

“He played for two Cumbrian clubs in two Challenge Cup finals which is a tremendous achievement and not many can say that.

“He out-hooked us for Barrow in the second final and his performance that day was probably instrumental in them winning.

“He has played in some huge games in the history of Cumbrian RL and it is sad to lose another former great name.”

First published at 11:27, Friday, 12 August 2011
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk