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Rugby League Cares is sad to learn of the death of 1970 Great Britain Lions tourist Derek Edwards, who passed away earlier today after a long illness.
Derek was one of five Castleford players selected for the 1970 tour, on which he made six appearances including the full-back berth in the second Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where Great Britain won 28-7.
He played at full-back in Castleford’s Challenge Cup final victories at Wembley in both 1969 and 1970 and made over 300 appearances for the Wheldon Road club in a 12-year career ‘Down the Lane.’
Derek was sadly not well enough to attend last Saturday’s RL Lions Association annual luncheon, when the surviving 1970 Lions tourists were presented with medals by RFL Chief Executive Ralph Rimmer marking their Ashes success.
His death comes on the eve of the funeral of his former Castleford and Great Britain 1970 Lions team-mate Johnny Ward, who passed away on December 30.
Our thoughts are with Derek’s family and friends at this sad time.
Derek is pictured below (second from right) with his four Castleford team-mates on the 1970 tour, Dennis Hartley, Keith Hepworth, Alan Hardisty and Malcolm Reilly.
