Funeral of rugby league legend Chissy (From Leigh Journal)
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Final send off for Leigh rugby favourite Dave Chisnall
7:30am Friday 25th January 2013 in News
Mourners including former team mates and opponents formed a guard of honour as rugby league legend Dave Chisnall makes his final journey.
RUGBY League legends turned out in force to give a fitting send-off to former Leigh and Great Britain prop forward Dave Chisnall, who died earlier this month at the age of 64.
Although there was big turnout from the rugby league community, the strong theme of the service was Dave as a family man, with a moving tribute delivered by his close friend John McGinn and some touching poems and tales read out on behalf on his grandchildren.
Rugby league had played such a big part of Chissy’s life as a player and coach and that was reflected by the congregation with past players from his former clubs, Leigh, Warrington and St Helens in attendance.
Complementing a big turnout from his large and close knit family in the congregation were former teammates and a sprinkling of old adversaries which included Mike Nicholas, Ken Kelly, Bobby Wanbon, Paul Cullen, Ray French, Chris Arkwright, Billy Benyon, Steve and Eric Prescott, Andy Gregory, Jim Mills and Roy Mathias.
Among those with Hilton Park connections were Alex Murphy, Kevin Ashcroft, Tommy Martyn senior, Mick Martyn, Tony Cooke, Austin Rhodes, Wilf Briggs, John Lowe, Roy Lester, Rod Tickle and former Leigh chairman Brian Bowman and secretary John Stringer.
Former Leigh Miners and Warrington forward John Whittaker was also present.
On leaving the church, Dave’s coffin was given a guard of honour by several of his former Warrington teammates.
