Tommy Sale was a rugby league legend (image courtesy of Leigh Centurions Twitter)

Leigh Centurions legend Tommy Sale MBE has passed away at the age of 97 after a life devoted to the sport and his hometown club.

Sale served the Centurions as a player, coach and administrator, and was awarded an MBE for his services to rugby league in 2011.

He worked as a scoreboard operator for Leigh at the age of just 10 and went on to play for the first team, overseeing the construction of the club's former home Hilton Park in 1946-47.

He went on to finish his career at Widnes and captained them in the 1950 Challenge Cup final at Wembley, having scored a pair of tries during their victory over Bradford in the semi-final.

After his career, he returned to Leigh as a director, assistant secretary, scout, statistician, timekeeper and President, and the road to their current ground, Leigh Sports Village, is named in his honour.

Away from the sport, he lived a full life, working as a teacher for 33 years, running a shop, serving as a councillor and acting as a volunteer in care homes.

And he fought in the Army during the Second World War, attaining the rank of lieutenant.

A justifiably lengthy tribute on the Leigh website included the lines: "Leigh Centurions are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Tommy Sale MBE at the age of 97.

"Tommy, who was the Club's Life President, was the single most influential person in the history of Leigh Rugby League Club, and his passing marks not only the end of an era and involvement spanning 90 years but means that somehow things will never be the same again.

"Tommy loved Leigh and he loved Leigh Rugby League Club, the players, the fans, the volunteers, the officials, and he realised the huge importance of the club to the fabric and wellbeing of the town.

"Above all else, Tommy Sale was a gentleman. He had time for everyone, was always cheerful and enthusiastic and he loved Leigh RL Club with a burning passion.

"The thoughts of everyone at Leigh Centurions are with Tommy's family at this sad time and further tributes will follow in the days ahead."

Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham is MP for Leigh and wrote on Twitter: "I am sure I speak for the whole of Leigh in paying tribute to the legendary Tommy Sale MBE. We won't see his like again. A true gentleman.

"Tommy gave his life to the service of our town & his beloved Leigh Centurions. I will ensure a fitting permanent tribute to a giant of Leigh."