Workington Town have paid tribute to a great full-back of the 1950s Joe Vickers, who died this week.

The Maryport-born 84-year-old made 89 appearances for Town over seven seasons and scored 21 tries.

He was a part of Town's Challenge Cup final team of 1955, when they were narrowly defeated by Barrow at Wembley.

Town chairman Garry Mounsey said: "Everyone involved with Workington Town sends our condolences to Joe’s family and friends.

"He is a respected member of the Workington Town family history and will be remembered with great fondness by supporters and the sporting community here in West Cumbria and beyond."

Mr Vickers began his Town career as a deputy to the great Gus Risman back in the January of 1952, replacing him on Borough Park against Liverpool Stanley in a 24-0 home win.

He was to make just one more appearance in that Challenge Cup winning season for Town, replacing Gus again in the last fixture before the team went to Wembley.

Mr Vickers went on to appear on the wing the following couple of season, with the full-back berth belonging to Risman.

He then went back to the amateur ranks with local outfit Brookland Rovers for a short spell, before Town boss Jim Brough persuaded him to return.

He made history by featuring for two different clubs in the Challenge Cup in one season, and going to Wembley with the second.

After assisting Brookland Rovers until they were knocked out of the competition on November 27, 1954, he then signed professional terms with Town.

And he played at Wembley in the final of April 30, 1955 where they lost to Barrow 22-12.

He called a day on his professional career after the defeat at the hands of Warrington in October 1957 but in 1961 he was still pulling on his boots for Brookland Rovers.

And he also picked up county honours when selected for Cumberland at Central Park, Wigan in September 1956 against Lancashire.