I never had the privilege of seeing Des play, but I've heard a great deal about this Leigh and Great Britain legend, and when I met him he was an absolute gentleman.

RIP Des Drummond, gone too soon.

rlhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/60185283rl

And a wire legend too! I've got Wigan and saints fans texting me saying how gutted they are. Says it all about the man and the player. RIP you legend!!

I had the pleasure to watch Dessie play for Leyth and GB,some of his tries and tackles on his opponents,who stayed tackled,will always be a lasting memory of a Leyth Legend. RIP Dessie

Shocked and saddened to hear of Des passing. A real superstar and a Leigh all time great. He was a diminutive player, but a black belt at judo and I remember him once tackling a prop forward. I don't know what Des did in the tackle but the prop forward had canaries tweeting around his head. RIP DES a true Leyther.

Easter Monday 1984, and you lot battered us
My first ever away game, and, pound for pound, the loudest noise I've EVER heard in my my life. The only thing that happened, was a certain player had been given the ball. I can still see every person in that rickety old stand get to their feet, but the noise was incredible, because you knew what was going to happen.

Legend.

RIP

To the best of Bongser's memory, WYSIWYG, when tackling the big guys he would aim for a full, high wrap whilst ramming his "fod" into the unfortunate's ribs (hoping for solar plexus?).

Some people will also recall his time on "Superstars" on the BBC, especially his prowess at weightlifting. Can't recall if it was Pickering or Coleman that said something to the tune of, "If he can lift that weight above his head, it's no wonder he can take out prop forwards." (RL was still on the Beeb in those days, so everyone knew who Des was - leave that subject alone for now).

Also recall him blitzing all comers in the 100m at the old Madeley Park (might even have still been plain Leigh Harriers at that point) and Bongser will always maintain that he was defo faster than Henderson Gill (as proven at the old Central Park to Bongser's glee). Never saw him face Chariots - different era.

Only shared a drink with him a coupla times but went away even fonder.

RIP

Was announced before stef Ratchford’s testimonial tonight. In shock. I grew up watching Dessie. What a tough, tough man. The way he flew in off his wing to smash his opposition centre was borderline illegal. Searing pace too of course, the only man I ever saw who caught Martin offiah from behind. Incredible athlete, taken far too young. RIP mate, thanks for everything.

TO AN ATHLETE DYING YOUNG - A E HOUSMAN

The day you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high.

To-day, the road all runners come,
Shoulder-high we bring you home,
And set you at your threshold down,
Townsman of a stiller town.

My own tribute to a great man , and player , sadly will be missed gave me some great memories scored some great tries , and a Gentleman .

Was stunned to hear this. A terrible loss and way too young. I started watching Leeds as a kid in 1972 and reckon a young Des Drummond was the most exciting winger I’ve ever seen at Headingley. The wide spaces suited him. He scored some incredible tries.
The game that sticks in my mind was late April 1982. John Woods was brilliant as was an ageing Eric Chisnall.
Leeds dropped the ball on half way and Drummond swooped and swerved and stepped and beat 6 men to fly under the posts. Leigh were 15-8 up at half time. Kevin Dick had missed 2 easy penalties for Leeds. Leeds came back in the second half. It was a great game. Les Dyl scored for Leeds in the last minute to make it Leeds 18 Leigh 19. Kevin Dick missed the conversion. In effect you won the Championship that day and think clinched it at Whitehaven but you guys will know better than me.

I also remember him scoring 2 v New Zealand at Headingley and that great interplay with Schofield for a try v Aus down under. Nearly won the old superstars as well.
RIP to a true RL great and a provider of fantastic memories.

Absolutely gutted to here the sad passing of the Leigh Legend Des Drummond. A childhood hero of mine and many. Had the pleasure of watching his career from his explosive emergence at Leigh when the fans knew what a gem we had unearthed through to international and media recognition. An explosive winger with electric pace combined with fearlessness and devastating tackling technique. Whenever he got the ball the crowd rose to their feet in anticipation. So many memories of touchline hugging tries and prop forward halting tackles. Remember him scoring a length of the field try at central park from kick off cutting through the static forward before cruising round the George Fairburn at full back. Also an amazing tackle on prop Mal Yates, Mal got the ball out wide and headed for Des you could see his intent to go right through Des, moments later he was picking himself up of the turf as Des had hit him in the midriff lifted him and dumped him over the touchline. Really enjoyed seeing his talent blossom and remember the respect the Aussie had for him when they had little respect for GB players he was one of the few in that era they feared. Also a great ambassador of the game who gained national fame and raised the profile of RL on the BBC Superstars Show, think his 100m time was never beaten 10.4 seconds if I recall. Every Leigh fan and who remembers him will shed a tear today. RIP Des.

10.85 seconds, Leyther14, faster than Olympic Qualification at that time and beating Malcolm MacDonald's long-standing Superstars record in the process. Recall a test match wherein Ray French screamed "Drummond's after him like a train!"

It was his fear of aquatics that prevented him winning Superstars, Eric the Eel was more at home in water.

A solid tribute at the game today, go well Des.

Not ashamed to admit shedding a tear on hearing the sad news of Dessie passing.I then began to remember the tries I was at Central Park when twice he went the distance beating the whole wiggin team both times a try at Barrow down the touchline I was at Headingly when he scored for GB v NZ.I was at Hull when Grothe got the better of him but Des got his own back at Headingly when Grothe played for Leeds.
Top player top bloke with a great Bolton accent proud he made his name at our club.When he scored a try at Huddersfield Murphy said watch this like a bullet out of a gun another coach said we had a good team with a little bit of magic.RIP

So sad to loose someone so young, thoughts are with Des's family and friends. Only good things were said about Des both on the field and off the field. He wore our shirt with pride and gave everything for us, thank you for the memories DD. RIP.