Big Geoff loses

Leigh RL Wembley star By Mike Hulme GEOFF Clarkson, one of Leigh RL Club's Wembley and championship heroes, has died at the age of 57.

The popular back-row forward lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday - just a few weeks after making an emotional return to his old stomping ground at Hilton Park.

Despite being seriously ill, Wakefield-born Clarkson returned to Leigh in May to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the team winning the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 1971.

Lap of honour

Affectionately known as Big Geoff, Clarkson joined the majority of his old team-mates on a lap of honour and photo session and appeared to thoroughly enjoy his nostalgic day.

He joined Leigh from Bradford in August 1970 but after the Challenge Cup success, moved on to Warrington.

A decade later, Clarkson was back at Leigh. Re-signed by coach Alex Murphy from Oldham in March 1981, Clarkson went on to be a vital member of the Leigh side that won the 1981-82 Division One championship for the only time in their history.

Clarkson was the most-travelled player in RL history. As well as playing for Leigh on two occasions, he also doubled up with Wakefield and Bradford. He also signed for Warrington, Leeds, York, Bramley, Hull KR, Oldham and Featherstone, making 12 moves in all before retiring at the age of 40 in 1983.

The Leigh club was devastated news of Clarkson's death.

Commercial manager Kevin Ashcroft, a team-mate of Clarkson's at Wembley in 1971, said: "Everyone who knew Geoff will be deeply saddened to learn of his death.

Great courage

"During his years with the club, he showed great courage, dignity and spirit and he carried these attributes with him over the last few years while facing his recent illness.

"On a personal note, I'm absolutely gutted. He was a great player and a great mate. I'm just happy we could give him a good day out the other week."

Leigh will hold a minute's silence before Sunday's play-off home game against Featherstone, another of Clarkson's previous clubs. CUP WINNERS: Geoff Clarkson, back left, Kevin Ashcroft, number 9, winger Joe Walsh, front left, and Paul Grimes with injured skipper Alex Murphy in the 1971 Wembley final against Leeds GEOFF Clarkson, one of Leigh RL Club's Wembley and championship heroes, has died at the age of 57.

The popular back-row forward lost his battle with cancer just a few weeks after making an emotional return to his old stomping ground at Hilton Park.

Despite being seriously ill, Wakefield-born Clarkson returned to Leigh in May to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the team winning the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 1971.

Affectionately known as Big Geoff, Clarkson joined the majority of his old team-mates on a lap of honour and photo session and appeared to thoroughly enjoy his nostalgic day.

He joined Leigh from Bradford in August 1970 but after the Challenge Cup success, moved on to Warrington.

A decade later, Clarkson was back at Leigh. Re-signed by coach Alex Murphy from Oldham in March 1981, Clarkson went on to be a vital member of the Leigh side that won the 1981-82 Division One championship for the only time in their history.

Clarkson was the most-travelled player in RL history for as well as playing for Leigh on two occasions, he also doubled up with Wakefield and Bradford. He also signed for Warrington, Leeds, York, Bramley, Hull KR, Oldham and Featherstone, making 12 moves in all before retiring at the age of 40 in 1983.

The Leigh club was devastated by the news of Clarkson's death.

Commercial manager Kevin Ashcroft, a team-mate of Clarkson's at Wembley in 1971, said: "Everyone who knew Geoff will be deeply saddened to learn of his death.

"During his years with the club he showed great courage, dignity and spirit and he carried these attributes with him over the last few years while facing his recent illness.

"On a personal note, I'm absolutely gutted. He was a great player and a great mate. I'm just happy we could give him a good day out the other week."

Leigh held a minute's silence before Sunday's play-off home game against Featherstone.