Tribute to Victor Sellers

Stanley Rangers have been shocked and saddened by the death of long-standing Stanley sporting stalwart Victor "Vic" Sellers who died suddenly on the 22nd November, 2003 at the age of 57.

Vic, as he was known, collapsed and died shortly after watching Stanley Rangers beat Kettlethorpe 26-19 in the Wakefield Cup quarter finals.

Alongside his brother Ben, Vic was one of five sets of brothers - along with the Way, Bateman, Baker and Starkeys - who played for Stanley Rangers first team in the 1960s. He was a member of the Under 19s side which won the Yorkshire Cup and also played for four years in the open age side before going on to serve on the club's committee for 25 years.

Away from rugby league, his other passion was cricket and he played for Stanley Falcons, where he had a 25 year association as both a player and an umpire. He also played in the darts and dominoes team for the Butchers Arms on Stanley Road.

Vic was a tireless worker for both clubs and one of his inspirations was to organise the Stanley village six-a-side competition.

Jack Thompson, Wakefield and District ARL spokesman, who has recently been elected to the BARLA management board, said: " Vic was a stalwart servant of Stanley Rangers over the years and I remember on one occasion he drove the Wakefield team to an inter-district match, ended up having to play and walked off with the man of the match award".

Vic will be sadly missed by all, especially the members of the rugby and cricket clubs.