ALAN Winward, a co-member of the Save Craven Park committee in 1995, has died at the age of 77. He passed away at Aldingham Nursing Home on Sunday.

The former Barrow forward came to the aid of the club along with others when the ground was on the verge of being sold as massive debts grew.

Alan was a true gentleman who loved rugby league. He was very passionate for Barrow and was a tireless worker with endless hours of dedication to ensure professional rugby continued in the town.

He always had a smile on his face whenever he greeted people, and rugby league and Barrow were in his blood.

Others who formed the committee were close friend Maurice Evans, Joe Hogan (father of Steve and Phil) Dennis Jackson, Alan Park, Walter Floyd Neil Houston and Dinks Harris.

It was Dinks who stood up at the meeting with £100 in his hand and said before handing it over to Jackson.

“That's what I got for signing for Barrow in 1951 and I want to give it back,” he said. His gesture was warmly appreciated by the packed audience.

Meetings took place in Alan's garage on Schneider Road over many long hours as they looked at ways of raising cash to prevent Craven Park being sold off.

It was thought within the club it was best to sell Craven Park with the possibility of moving to the Strawberry Grounds, home of Furness Rugby Union, as one of the options.

Before a packed house at the Forum, the rugby fraternity turned up in force and showed their appreciation to the lads on stage.

Alan later joined the board of directors and became chairman. He worked hard to steer the club through some difficult times both on and off the field and was later made an honorary life member.

It was through his brother John, a former secretary of the Barrow & District league and ex-director of Barrow, that Alan was introduced to the oval-ball game.

"I had formed Roose under-18s later under-19s and talked him into joining, said John. "He had never played rugby league, just soccer and cricket."

Alan progressed to the open age side, which was very strong in the league as they reached the first round of the Challenge Cup in 1963, losing to Liverpool City 11-0.

Alan played that day and signed for Barrow in 1965 along with several others who played Liverpool - Eddie Tees, Ray Fisher, Bob Wear, George Cubiss and teenager Peter Douglas, who followed Great Britain star Tommy Bishop to St Helens where they formed a dynamic half-back partnership.

John recalled the time Alan was called up for first-team duty with several other A-teamers.

"The first team had got a good beating the previous week and only Tommy Dawes, Bill Burgess and Maurice Redhead retained their places," said John. "The team went to Salford that weekend and pulled off a win."

Alan made his first-team debut in the Salford game, with his final appearance a year later at home to Widnes. He played six first-team games, but was a good servant for the A team before a knee injury ended his career.

Alan went to Holker Street school where he played soccer and cricket, later playing first-team cricket at Roose and football for Bridgegate Untied. He worked as a mechanic for British Railways before opening his garage in Schneider Road.

Evans, also a former Barrow director, said: "I remember Alan joining us to save the ground, but we had nowhere to hold meetings until Alan suggested his garage.

"We went onto become close friends. Alan was a good chairman and it was good to work alongside him."