Phil Lowe: Hundreds attend funeral for Hull KR and Great Britain 'hero'

Former Hull Kingston Rovers players carried the coffin past fans as it left the stadium

Hundreds of fans have paid their respects to Hull Kingston Rovers "hero" Phil Lowe, who died at the age of 74.

The Great Britain international was a key member of the Robins side that won the title in 1978-79 and the Challenge Cup the following year.

More than 500 mourners attended his funeral at the team's Craven Park ground on Monday.

Hull KR players formed a guard of honour as his coffin was lifted through North Stand before the service began.

Phil Lowe has been described as "a hero" by his fans

Among the many fans who turned out to pay their respects was Sean Dickens, who described Lowe as "a hero" in rugby.

"Over the last 30 to 40 years, I knew him through growing up and going for a few beers, probably getting thrown out of his pub on more than one occasion," he said.

"So it just seemed fitting to come and pay tribute to a great rugby player and a lovely bloke."

More than 500 people attended the funeral including fan Angie Jackson

Fan Angie Jackson described him as an "ambassador for the club".

"He was a family man. He would always chat with everyone. He was a wonderful man."

Another fan, Christopher Grubb, who was wearing the emblematic red and white Rovers scarf, said: "I can remember him bringing the Challenge Cup to our school and it was the best day ever.

"He was just a giant of a man - my first hero - so I had to come and pay my respects."

Fan Christopher Grubb: "I can remember him bringing the Challenge Cup to our school and it was the best day ever"

Hull-born Lowe was a second-row forward who played for Hull KR from 1967 to 1983, apart from a two-year stint in Australia at Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles from 1974 to 1976, when he won the New South Wales premiership with the Sydney club.

He was also the youngest member of the victorious Great Britain Ashes tour party to Australasia in 1970.

In total, he made 418 appearances for the Robins, sixth on the club's all-time list, and scored 179 tries, a tally only bettered by Roger Millward and Steve Hartley.

Phil Lowe spent two seasons at Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, scoring 25 tries in 72 games

Lowe set a new club record for a forward by scoring 26 tries in the 1972-73 season.

He also played 12 games for Great Britain - helping the squad to victory in the 1972 World Cup final against host France - and five for England.

After his retirement, Lowe had a short spell coaching at York before two spells with the Robins as a director, serving as club chairman between 1992 and 1994 and more recently as football director.

Paying tribute to the former player last month, Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell described Lowe as "an extraordinary man. A one-off"

Paying tribute to Lowe last month, Hull KR owner Neil Hudgell described him as "an extraordinary man. A one-off" and said he was "decorated for his country many times over".

"He was my hero when growing up around the sport in the 1970s," he said.

"The sight of Phil Lowe in full flight was something no one who witnessed it will ever forget."

"Phil will be greatly missed by his very many friends. A true red and white, Hull KR has lost a legend, and part of its fabric.".