Funeral held for Castleford rugby league star Dennis Hartley

Dennis Hartley made 600 career appearances, including 268 for Castleford.

In a statement, the club said: "He joined the Fords as the ‘Classy Cas’ side of the sixties was gaining a lot of admirers but little in the way of silverware.

"When Dennis signed for Castleford in 1966 it was a catalyst in taking the club to the next level by signing an international experienced, big and tough forward.

"Whilst Dennis might have been viewed as a terror on the field by the opposition players, he was a true gentleman off it and served Castleford Rugby League Football Club magnificently, everyone at the club would like to pass on our condolences to Dennis’ family and friends at this time."

A guard of honour made up of former players was held at Wheldon Road.

Supporters, current Cas players, and coach Daryl Powell paid tributes and held a minute's silence in his honour.

A service was conducted at 3pm at Pontefract Crematorium, followed by an evening celebration of Dennis’ life taking place at Roundhill Club.

Dennis began his career with Doncaster before signing for Hunslet in January, 1961.

After five years at Parkside he moved to Castleford in September 1966 for a £4,750 fee.

He went on to win back-to-back Challenge Cup medals in 1969 and 1970. He was also a member of the Great Britain team that won the Ashes, in Australia, in 1970, a feat the Lions have not achieved since.

Dennis was a try scorer in the decisive 21-17 third Test triumph and was later named in both Hunslet’s and Castleford’s Hall of Fame

Only six members of Hunslet’s 17-man squad for the 1965 Challenge Cup final still survive.