Frank Foster, generally regarded by those who played against him as the hardest man in rugby league, has died aged 79.

Born in Maryport, he played as a professional for Workington Town, Hull KR, Bradford, Oldham and Barrow.

During his career in the 1960s and 70s he was universally respected as one of the hardest and most feared forwards in the game. He had been suffering from dementia and passed away at St Georges Nursing Home, in Barrow, on Friday.

Both Aussie legend Arthur Beetson and the powerful ‘Big Jim’ Mills regarded him as the toughest player they had ever come across.

‘Big Jim’ told the News & Star: “Yes, Frank was a very tough man. He’s up there with Brian McTigue, Vince Karalius, Rocky Turner, Stan Owen, Charlie Winslade, lots of very hard men about in them days.

“I would never say anyone was the hardest, even Frank made the mistake of hitting Brian McTigue, and come off second best.

“But Frank was one of the hardest of them all.”

Stories abound of his exploits on the field and it was even said that during his time in Hull, the toughest dockers stood off the pavement to let him pass.

There were no revealing Sky cameras in those days and Foster was a powerful master of the dark arts.

Former Workington Town hooker Howard ‘Smiler’ Allen played alongside Frank at Derwent Park and later against him. Allen then moved to Barrow where Foster was the coach.

“Frank was respected wherever he played and he gave opponents a hard time. He knew how to look after himself on the field,” said Allen.

“When I played under him at Barrow he knew what he wanted from all the players and if they dipped below what he expected would soon let them know.”

Frank actually stayed at Barrow as coach for 10 years and it’s said that the board had wanted to sack him earlier but none of the directors would pluck up the courage to do the deed!

He ended his coaching career at Whitehaven where former prop Steve Phythian tells a tale of how Australian great Wally Lewis was playing for Wakefield when they met the Recreation Ground side.

“Wally was supposed to be on £1,000 a game so Frank pulled me to one side before the game and told me ‘make sure he earns it.’ I remember that I knocked out some of Wally’s teeth,” recalls Phythian.

Foster played rugby union at Cockermouth Grammar School but learned his rugby league trade with amateurs Glasson Rangers where he soon made his mark and represented Great Britain at Under-19 level.

Workington saw his potential and he was signed in 1958 going on to play for Town until 1965 when he was sold for a reported £6,500 to Hull Kingston Rovers. He had played 111 games for Town, scoring 18 tries and kicking 145 goals.

‘Smiler’ Allen recalls: “When Hull KR signed Frank they also recruited Bill Holliday from Whitehaven in the same week and the pair really stiffened-up their pack until they were a force.”

Frank was soon appointed skipper and led Rovers to two Yorkshire Cup final victories in 1966 and 67. In his first season, he was named player of the year.

In 1967, he made his one and only Great Britain appearance alongside teammates Holliday and ‘Flash’ Flanagan against Australia at London’s White City in a game the hosts lost 11-7.

Most serious pundits of the time were amazed that it proved to be his only international appearance.

He made 129 appearances for Rovers in five years there before moving to Bradford for two years, and then a short spell at Barrow. He finished his playing career at Oldham in 1973.

Then it was back to Barrow where he built up a fine Barrow side that lured Union stars Ian Ball, Steve Tickle, Nigel French and Mark McJennet to Craven Park. Local stars came under the Foster banner including Derek Hadley, Eddie Syzmala, David Cairns and Andy Whittle.

Frank’s open style of rugby won high praise and in 1982 they were dubbed by the Harlem Globetrotters of rugby league.

He took Barrow up and down the divisions - to a Lancashire Cup semi-final and a losing John Player final (11-7 against Warrington) in 1981.

The end at Barrow came early in the 1983 season and he moved up the coast to Whitehaven. Within weeks of his departure and under the guidance of Tommy Dawes, Barrow beat a high-flying Widnes side in the Lancashire cup final.

Frank leaves a widow, Joyce (from Flimby), a son Brian and a daughter Susan. The funeral will be in Barrow at a venue and date to be announced.