Former Hull KR great Roger Millward dies aged 68

A prolific goalkicking stand-off and highly-successful coach with Hull KR for 25 years, Millward was awarded an MBE for his services to rugby league in 1983 and inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2000.

Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell said: "This is a tragic day for everybody associated with the club and everybody who considers themselves to be a rugby league supporter.

"Roger's achievements as a player and coach and the way he conducted himself on and off the field made him a hugely respected figure amongst fans of all clubs, whilst there is no doubt he will go down in history as Hull KR's greatest ever player, coach and captain.

"At his peak, he was a player blessed with exceptional skills, outstanding leadership qualities and genuine bravery. He was also a true gentlemen of the game who remained closely connected to the club in his later years.

"The entire club is in mourning and our deepest condolences go to his wife Carol, his family and his friends. He will be sadly missed but never forgotten."

Millward became an icon of the game after joining Rovers from his home-town club Castleford in 1966. He scored a club-record 207 tries and 607 goals in 406 appearances and brought the curtain down on his playing career by lifting the Challenge Cup at Wembley in 1980 with victory over arch-rivals Hull FC in which he defied a broken jaw.

It was his fifth trophy as captain and he went on to guide the Robins to six more pieces of silverware in 11 years as their most successful coach in the club's history.

Millward also spent an off season in Australia in 1976, playing for Cronulla, and after leaving Hull KR, had a short spell as coach of Halifax in 1991-92.

Millward, who fought a battle with cancer in recent years, also won 29 caps with Great Britain and 17 with England.