Am truly heartbroken, Mr Sale (I never felt comfortable calling him Tommy) was and always will be my hero.

As a former pupil of his I owe all that I am now to the educational foundation he gave me and was proud to tell him so when I asked him to be 'Guest Of Honour' at the NW Counties 13-15s Grand Finals as my small way of saying thank you.

Whilst understanding that, at 97, there was an inevitability that one day this would happen it still came as a shock when I saw the sad news on the BBC News website and am fighting back the tears as I write.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you did for me personally and for your untiring support of our beloved Leigh Rugby League Club .... it was an honour to have known you. RIP Mr Sale you were one in a million and will miss you more than words can say.

A true legend from my childhood Thanks and R.I.P

RIP Tommy from myself and George my Dad .

Tommy was choosing the MOM award at the Leigh School Boys RL final at Hilton Park between Butts CE and St Josephs and Butts CE won. He came up to me and presented me with a small cup which I had in my hands for 1 second before Tommy realised he had made a mistake and gave it to the real MOM, which was John Woods first of many such awards .
I will always remember that incident and thank Tommy for my 1 second of glory, he was and will always be a true legend in the truest sense of the word.

A terribly sad loss of a True Leigh Legend & my sympathy to his family & friends.

I have been wondering if at the Leigh v Wigan 'friendly' we should hold a minutes applause or silence.

RIP Tommy Sale.

I can confirm the RFL have granted a minutes applause at the Wigan game

Perfect.