Terrible news from my perspective. I saw Johnny make his debut at the Boulevard in 1950 and then watched every home match he played until I left Hull in 1960. Mentored by Roy Francis he played in the most successful decade Hull have experienced since I started watching them in 1946. Too many highlights and achievements to talk about here but I will make mention of one. The only player to play in a winning Ashes squad and then go on to coach an Ashes winning squad. I was able to attend all those 6 games.

I first met him in the 50's and then met him again when he came here in 1970 as the GB coach. He was a true gentleman.
Johnny was certainly the greatest player I ever saw play for Hull and I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends.

RIP John Whiteley. Your song has ended but your melody will linger on.

I started watching FC in the late 40's so was there when Johnny started his career. What a career it was, not just as a player but as a coach and an outstanding ambassador for Hull and for Rugby League. I had the great pleasure of meeting him at one of Pete Allan's book launches and its a memory that will stay with me forever. Truly a man of the people and someone who will never be forgotten. Rest in peace Johnny.

Only met the great man once but it was a privilege to do so. RIP Johnny.

My memory of Johnny is when I was playing in the last game at the Boulevard in the curtain raiser. The GB legends had kicked the ball dead, and I picked up the ball and raced toward the 20m to get a quick tap away. I had just tapped it and was running toward a lot of space on Threepenny stand side, and I was running past Johnny who was making his way back in to the line. He said "Go on Son", and went to slap me on the back as I went running away. Anyway, he mistimed the 'slap' and actually knocked the ball out of my hands!! I would have been 19 at the time, and when I went to watch the Hull v NZ game afterwards in the stand, my Dad said "I can't believe you knocked the ball on with all that space in front of you!" - I told him that Johnny knocked it out my hands and nobody believed me...that is of course until the commemorative video of the night came out and I showed everyone what happened!

RIP Johnny - FC Legend

Hopefully they will commission a statue in Johnny’s memory.

The corner of Boulevard and Hessle Road would be a fitting site.

I think the only way it will happen is by public subscription. Maybe Assam Aalam could pay for it, to make up for his snub of Johnny when clearing his photos out of KC and then stating, he didn’t know who Johnny was

How very sad to learn that a rugby league gentleman has passed away. As a Saints fan, I always appreciated his battles with Karalius and am sad that his type of ball-handling loose-forwards seems to have disappeared from our game.
What a man! When I was secretary of St Helens Schools' RL, I asked Johnny if he would speak at our annual dinner as he was held in such high esteem in the town.
Johnny drove over, wanted no expenses nor fee and donated a gallon bottle of whisky for the raffle. Then drove all the way home!
I will be at the game on Saturday for no other reason really (well, I'll shout for Saints) than to pay my respects to a great player and a role model.
RIP Johnny. We will miss you

Well done Sky and in particular Phil Clarke for their Johnny Whiteley tribute. Very moving.

Great idea and what a tribute that would be. However, that pricing is a bit of an under estimation when we commissioned the jack harrrison memorial outside the KCom we were back then in the the mid 2000's quoted £40,000 for a statue. The standing stone Boulevard Memorial that we commissioned at the Boulevard Academy which is only 3 ft tall cost in the end around £10,000 in total. The guy trying to raise the money for a Jack Harrison statue I think quoted £100,000.

It's the commissioning of the design and the sculptor before you even think about the cost of the materials the foundation etc. That said nothing wrong with aspiring to it and perhaps the council will help, for he needs a fitting memorial. I expect at then very least we'll see a Road re-named.

The Johnny Whiteley Boulevard? Johnny Whiteley Hessle Road? I had tears in my eyes when Sky held there tribute, God only knows what I’ll be like on Saturday. God bless Sir Johnny.

Great tribute post stroger.

In the 50's my dad had a work commitment every Saturday afternoon and only missed this commitment to attend certain Hull home games. One match he never missed was the St Helens fixture to witness Johnny Whiteley v 'The Wild Bull of the Pampas' - Vince Karalius. The guy I loved to see play in your team was Van Vollenhoven who was a particular favourite winger of mine in that era along with Lionel Cooper (Huddersfield) and the immortal Brian Bevan.

Just thought I'd say for all the knocking SKY get of their presentation in regards to RL I thought they deserve to be given some credit for the touching tribute they gave Johnny Whiteley. I'm not Phil Clarkes biggest fan but thought he spoke very well and highly of Johnny and seemed quite emotional.

Tomorrow won't have many dry eyes in the ground.

Skys eulogy on Johnny was so emotional, Phil Clarke was so endearing, and passionate about his personal relationship with Johnny, it had me tearful, and probably everyone else watching.

Has anyone got a link to it please, missed it by minutes lastnight.