BOB Ryan's funeral will take place at Warrington Parish Church on Monday at 10.15am.

The former Warrington Wolves pack star died after a long illness.

Ryan was a member of the first Warrington team to win the league championship in 1947/48 and has been honoured with a place in the club's Hall of Fame.

Ryan was signed from Wigan club Ince Rovers in the first post-war season, and made his debut at Broughton Rangers in a 12-19 defeat, in October 1945.

For the 5ft 9in, 13st 10lb second row, however, good times were on their way as he became the cornerstone of that first Warrington Championship side.

He made 372 appearances for Warrington and scored 37 tries in a 13-season career at Wilderspool.

Ryan and teammate Jim Featherstone were selected to tour with Great Britain in 1950 and missed out on the Wembley triumph.

He made his Great Britain Test debut on a quagmired Sydney Cricket Ground in a 6-4 victory.

His qualities earned him five Great Britain caps, two for England and saw him selected to play for Lancashire on four occasions.

The 1953/54 campaign saw Ryan at loose forward as Warrington achieved the Challenge Cup and Championship double.

He was also in the last Championship winning side, as Oldham were defeated 7-3 on a rainy day at Maine Road in 1955.

His final game, in March 1958, was a Challenge Cup quarter final tie at Workington.

The Cumbrians threw everything at Wire including the weather, as the pack held till late on only to lose 0-11.

Ryan showed to everyone at the Odsal Reunion in 2004, the strength and determination that had characterised him during his career.

Wigan’s loss was definitely Warrington’s gain!