A RUGBY League great whose dedication to the game spans 45 years picked up his pension book and bus pass recently - plus another richly-deserved accolade.

For Saints director and one-time Great Britain captain, Eric Ashton MBE, has been made a life member of the Rugby Football League, the first time the honour has been awarded to someone not holding office in RFL administration.

A former brewery sales manager, Mr Ashton, of Prescot Road, is married to Doreen, and the couple have two daughters, Michelle and Beverley, and four grandchildren, Vicky, Greg, Alex and Ryan.

Said Eric: 'The news came as a complete surprise and I am absolutely delighted.'

Popularly Known as 'Ash' at Knowsley Road, 6ft 2in Eric was a centre cast in classical mould and was snapped up by Wigan from Army rugby in 1955. He spent14 seasons with the Central Park club, scoring more than 300 tries and in excess of 500 goals. The first Rugby League player to be honoured by the Queen and the only one to captain, coach, and act as chairman to a Wembley side, Eric skippered the Cherry and Whites on six Wembley visits and also coached Wigan.

He had a spell in a similar capacity with Leeds before - as a lad from Mulberry Avenue and Rivington Road school - finally come 'home' to Saints in 1974.

Eric still renders yeoman service at Knowsley Road, where he has has acted as coach, director and chairman, a time when he enjoyed the added distinction of holding the top office as Saints earned the Cup and League double in 1996.

From a representative angle, Eric earned 26 Test caps, was a member of the Ashes-winning sides in Australia in 1958 and 1962 (as skipper); he was also in Great Britain's World Cup squads of 1957 and 1960, when he captained the winners.

On hearing of this latest tribute, Saints' current chairman, Howard Morris exclaimed: "Not before time! Let's hope the Rugby League now install Eric Ashton where he truly belongs in the game's Hall of Fame.

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