FORMER Widnes scrum-half Alan Ashton has passed away at the age of 65 after illness.

Alan signed for Widnes from the Ditton junior club in 1968 and appeared for the Chemics in the 1972 Floodlit final at Leigh.

He made 85 appearances for Widnes, scoring 19 tries.

He was snapped up by St Helens for £1,500 in 1975 and was substitute in the 1977 Premiership final, although the 1977-78 campaign was Alan’s best as a Saint, when he took part in 34 matches as his team reached the semi-finals of the Lancashire Cup, Floodlit trophy. They went on to beat Warrington in the Challenge Cup semi-final and met Leeds in that epic Wembley encounter that the Yorkshiremen won by 12-14. Alan was non-playing substitute that day, with Tony Karalius, who also remained on the bench for the 80 minutes.

Alan was not unlike many half-backs of the pre-Super League era, in that he was five and a half feet in height and weighed 11 stones. Yet he was a bubbly character in the dressing room environment, an enthusiastic and tireless worker in the loose and a great team player.

Alan’s younger brother, Ray was also a half-back, who played for Oldham, Leeds, Workington and Bramley. He was a Great Britain tourist in 1984.

Alan moved to Whitehaven early in 1978-79, where he linked up with his former Widnes team-mate Ray Dutton.