TRIBUTES have been paid to former rugby league player who was part of Bradford Northern's Premiership winning team in the 1970s.

Dean Raistrick, 70, of Clayton, died recently after a battle with cancer and according to his son, Lee Raistrick, his family has been flooded with tributes from people wanting to pay their respects to the much-loved player.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Rugby league legend Dean Raistrick has died at age 70Rugby league legend Dean Raistrick has died at age 70 (Image: Newsquest)

Dean Raistrick played the position of hooker professionally for Keighley Cougars, Salford and Bradford Northern.

In his youth, he started out playing for rugby clubs in Clayton, Queensbury and Wyke.

"He's was quite good," said Lee, who now lives in Cullingworth. "He played hooker and was known for being one of the fastest strikers of the ball in rugby. He scored a lot of dropkicks."

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Rugby league legend Dean Raistrick scores a try Rugby league legend Dean Raistrick scores a try (Image: Newsquest)

Lee said: "He moved to Africa for a couple of years as a child, so he didn't start playing rugby until the age of 14.

"He was quite a late starter but he was naturally good at the game. It all came easy to him."

Dean played for Clayton, Queensbury and Wyke rugby clubs as a teenager.

He started out his professional career at Keighley Cougars and then moved to Salford where he won the RFL Championship with the Manchester club before coming to Bradford Northern where he also was part of an RFL Championship winning team.

He also played for Halifax and finished off his professional career at Keighley Cougars, where he was named Player of the Year in his final season.

"He had a very decent career, and although I watched him as a kid later in his career, I didn't realise just how well known he was until we had loads of people messaging us and paying tribute to him.

"I can't believe how many people have been in touch.

"He played for Great Britain as a junior and always got picked for Yorkshire but just missed out on getting picked for England as a senior player.

"He was a really popular player and the big thing for him came when he got the chance to move Keighley to Salford and then win the championship.

"He also used to have great nights out and was known as a bit of a party man.

"He also used to run a sports shop in the city centre of Bradford and people knew him from there."

Lee said if anyone wants to join his family and attend Dean Raistrick's funeral, it will be held at 2pm on Friday, July 28, at Scholemoor Cemetery.