A RECORD-breaking rugby player has died at the age of 82 after a ‘full and fascinating life’.

The funeral of Bernard Ganley, a former Great Britain, Lancashire and Oldham Rugby League full-back, took place today, Wednesday.

Mr Ganley, who lived in Great Budworth for more than 30 years after he retired from playing, died on June 26.

His son, Alex, said: “There’s going to be a massive hole in our lives but hopefully he’s gone to a better place.

“He had a very full, fascinating and interesting life and lived it to the full.

“I’m really proud of him.”

Mr Ganley was a key player of the famous Oldham side of the 1950s.

He made it into the Guinness Book of Records as the first Rugby League goal-kicker to kick more than 200 goals in a season when he kicked 219 in the 1957-58 season.

He signed for Oldham from amateur club Leigh Spinners in 1950, and made his first-team debut against Liverpool Stanley in 1951, going on to play 341 first-team matches for the club and kicking 1,358 goals.

His 14 goals against Liverpool in 1959 still stands as a club record and his 10 goals for Great Britain against France in 1957 equalled Lewis Jones’ international record.

Mr Ganley, who lived in Belmont Road, retired from playing in 1961 and became a TV and radio presenter.

He was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2001, when he moved from Great Budworth to Mere Court, in Knutsford.

He suffered a stroke in June this year.

Alex said: “He was a super-fit guy and probably would have gone on for a lot longer if he hadn’t suffered a stroke.

“He used to keep himself in shape, despite Alzheimer’s taking hold of his memory, and he was still in pretty good spirits and an active guy.

“People in Knutsford really looked after him.

“Even just walking about in town with him people would come up and chat to him, it was really great.”

His funeral will be held at St Vincent’s RC Church, in Knutsford, at noon today, Wednesday, July 8.

Anyone wishing to make a donation should make it to the charity Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY) in memory of Bernard’s youngest son, James, a talented footballer, who died of heart failure at the age of 22.