Heath Old Boys Association

A physiotherapist to Halifax Rugby League Club’s 1987 Challenge Cup winning team has died.

Steven Darlington, 42, of Wyvern Terrace, Pellon, Halifax, died on Sunday at Sheffield Hospital from Huntington’s Disease, a hereditary condition which affects the nervous system.

Mr Darlington had suffered from the disease for 10 years and had been cared for by staff at Rainbow Villas, Sheffield.

He attended the former Heath Grammar School, Halifax, and then completed physiotherapy training at Leeds University in 1979.

While at university he played with the Great Britain Universities team against a New Zealand side, and also for Huddersfield Rugby Union Club and Heath Rugby Union Club, Halifax, where he was also a physiotherapist.

After graduating he worked for the Calderdale NHS Trust and has been described as the best physiotherapist in Halifax by friend of 30 years, Martin Nolan.

“He was employed as physiotherapist by the Halifax Rugby League coach Chris Anderson and became good friends with the club’s star Australian player Graham Eadie.

“He worked as the team's physiotherapist for four years.

He was instrumental in helping Chris Anderson take the team to Wembley in 1987 when they beat St Helens in the final, he said.

His funeral will be held on September 5. The venue is still to be confirmed.