This post will only mean something to board members of a certain age..

Picked up from my Facebook feed, former Bradford Northern stand off Garth Budge is currently in a care home suffering advanced dementia.

I am greatly saddened to hear this news.

Garth came to Bradford along with a full back named Errol Stock in 1965.

Both these men were my first ever rugby league heros (and still are).

I remember watching them play on a snow covered pitch, stood out a mile with their sun tan and of course their skills.

Garth played 2 games for Queensland before moving to the UK where he settled and married Harry Womersley's daughter, working at Bradford Council until retirement.

I used to bump into him behind the stand during our "glory years" 1996 - 2005 - always had a word.

For me - once a hero always a hero - regardless.

Hello Errol, I have spoken with you before as we are both appear to be of the same vintage! Firstly, how desperately sad to hear the news of Garths illness. It really is a terrible disease and so indiscriminate. Our thoughts are with him and his family who also have to bear watching him slowly decline.

Errol Stock was my hero too, very much the attacking full back. Garth was the quiet unassuming tackling type of stand off. And boy could he tackle! I rated him second only to the great Keith Mumby for the quality of his defence. Didn't matter the size of guy running at him, Garth would bring him down, and it was always in textbook style, around the ankles.

Hard to know what to say. Garths illness is only going to go one way unfortunately. I suppose, thanks for memories is the best I can offer.

Very sad news. Garth was a great player and a really nice bloke. He coached me through my coaching badges 20 years ago. Very good coach as well.

I came across this article which is an interesting read. Errol Stock is in good shape - great to hear...

rlhttps://issuu.com/menofleagueaus/docs/mag65-final-issuu/34rl

This kind of news is never good to hear. I wish for the best for him and particularly his family.
He was a terrific player when 'in his pomp', and I'm sure he was once said to have broken someone's rib with his tackling which, true or not, certainly wouldn't have surprised me as his tackling was savage.

I'd heard Garth was unwell but I've not seen him for quite a few years. He was my coach at Bradford University RL team in the early 90s. A great bloke and mentor to us young lads back then. Despite his dodgy knees he still had it back then.

Gutted to hear this, was really close friends with his daughter in the early 00's, never saw him play but he did my coaching certificates too. Great bloke and family, so friendly and welcoming, hope Alex and her mum are doing okay.