Tributes are pouring in following the death of former Bradford Northern captain Frank Foster at the age of 79.

The back-row forward played for several clubs, including Workington Town, Hull Kingston Rovers, Northern, whom he joined in November 1968, Barrow and Oldham. He also earned one cap for Great Britain in 1967 against Australia.

Foster went on to coach Barrow and Whitehaven.

Bulls tweeted: “We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former Bradford Northern player Frank Foster. Our thoughts and condolences are with Frank’s friends and family.”

Foster signed for Northern from Hull KR for £5,000 plus Bradford captain Geoff Wrigglesworth and Terry Clawson in exchange.

His arrival at Odsal helped transform the team’s fortunes that season, with Northern winning 12 in a row soon after his debut.

After being made captain and joint-coach with fellow international Neil Fox, Foster was sold to Barrow for around £6,000 in December 1969 (see our nostalgia page in tomorrow's T&A).

In an interview in 2004, former Sky TV pundit Mike Stephenson labelled Foster the toughest player he had played against in his career.

“He was absolutely solid,” he said, "I don’t think I’ve ever met anybody as tough as Frank. As much as you tried to hurt him, you knew it was just a waste of time.” 

Other former clubs of Foster posted messages of condolence on their social media sites.

Hull KR also posted a tribute which read: “The club are saddened to learn of the passing of former captain Frank Foster, who led the Robins to two Yorkshire Cup wins and a Championship final in his three seasons as skipper in the 1960s.”

And Whitehaven also tweeted: “It is with sadness that we have learned of the passing of Frank Foster. Frank coached Haven in the 80s as well as our Cumbrian neighbours Barrow. “Frank was 79 when he passed away peacefully last night (Friday, December 21).

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this extremely sad time.”