THE family of rugby league legend Des Drummond has thanked fans for their kind words following his death aged 63.

The former Leigh and Warrington winger made Bolton his adopted home town, after moving to the north west as a youngster with his parents and brother Alva.

His father Benny is said to have run a jeans stall on Bolton Market in the 70s and 80s.

Fans and fellow RL stars paid glowing tributes to 'Dessie' and his family has now issued a statement through Leigh Centurions.

It reads: "The family of Des Drummond would like to acknowledge and thank all the well-wishers for the kind thoughts and words following his passing.

"The family is working with the Leigh Centurions Club and the RFL Benevolent Fund to finalise his funeral arrangements.

"As and when we are in a position to give people more details a further statement will be issued through the Leigh Centurions website."

He signed for the Leigh club in 1976 and initially helped them to secure the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy.

Des scored 141 tries in 280 games for Leigh and was a key figure in their championship-winning side of 1981-82.

He also played for Western Suburbs in Australia, Warrington, Workington Town, Chorley, Prescot and Barrow.

As captain of Warrington he lifted the Regal Trophy in 1991 after a victory over Bradford Northern.

He also played 24 times for Great Britain and became a household name in 1983 when the super-fit speedster came second on the BBC programme Superstars.

Des famously recorded a time for the 100m which would have qualified him for the heats at the 1984 Olympic Games.

In retirement, Des also helped to coach the Bolton Mets RL club and Bolton RUFC.

Tributes to the winger came from several quarters in the borough, including Bolton Olympic Wrestling Club, where he was a longstanding member and an "inspiration role model for so many".