The top photo shows Ray Corker in a Dublin pub on the Wids U16s 1999 tour, having returned from Lansdowne Road where Brian O'Driscoll had gained his first senior selection (on the bench) for Ireland against Italy. Appropriately, the two nations meet again this Saturday.

The second shot sees him forking the Heath Road pitch before an U16 Lancashire Cup tie. His grandson David Welsh played full back in the final of that competition when the team completed a hat-trick of Lancashire Cup wins. In later years, Dave went on to captain the club's 1st XV and could always rely on touchline encouragement and advice from his grandad.

In his working life at AHC Warehousing, Ray gained an insight into the area's chemical and associated industries that few could rival. His knowledge of Rugby League was even more developed and, despite a lengthy deterioration of his health, he was still regularly seen, close to the action at Widnes Vikings matches.

His family have sent the following funeral details.
Thursday 26th February: Funeral Service and Remembrance will be held at St Mary's Church, West Bank at 1pm followed by a short commital service at Widnes Crematorium at 2pm. Afterwards, Joanne, Susan and David Welsh say all are welcome to join them at Widnes RUFC to celebrate their amazing Dad and Grandad's life.