Frank Whitcombe junior, who has been described as both “a giant and a gentleman of Keighley Rugby Union Club”, has died aged 73.
The son of former Bradford Northern and Great Britain international Frank senior and the brother of Brian, who also played for Northern, Frank junior played union for Bradford, Yorkshire and the North.
A prop, he figured in the North side that led the All Blacks 18-0 at Harrogate Showground before going on to lose.
He was also the youngest-ever player to feature for Yorkshire at the age of 17.
After retiring from playing about the age of 40, Frank junior helped to form a colts side at Keighley, and his son Martin rose to prominence as a prop with Keighley, Leicester, Bedford and Sale, also figuring for Yorkshire and the North.
Martin apart, Frank leaves a wife Mollie and daughters Sarah and Emma. His other son Simon died several years ago.
There are no funeral arrangements to hand yet.
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