THE funeral of former Saints player Austin Rhodes will take place next week.
Austin – a Great Britain World Cup winner and a member of the first Saints team to win at Wembley – passed away aged 81 earlier this month.
He was the much loved husband of Marlene and dad of Martyn and Karen.
The funeral service and committal will be held at St Helens Crematorium on Thursday, February 28 at 3.30pm. Donations can be made to Steve Prescott Foundation.
Another of Thatto Heath’s famous sporting sons, the former St Austin’s pupil joined Saints aged 15, signing professional forms at 16.
He made his debut against Liverpool City in March 1955 and initially established himself at scrum half.
The season culminated in Saints’ first ever Challenge Cup Final win at Wembley.
The 19-year-old Rhodes, playing scrum half, kicked two goals as Saints won 13-2 win against Halifax beneath the Twin Towers.
Later that year he scored a try and kicked seven goals as Saints walloped the touring Australians 44-2 at Knowsley Road in 1956.
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