Former Wigan and New Zealand Test prop forward Adrian Shelford has died of a heart attack at the age of 39.
Shelford played for Wigan during their glory days of the late 1980s and early '90s and appeared in their Challenge Cup-winning sides of 1988, 1989 and 1990.
He won eight caps for the Kiwis, touring Britain in 1985 and 1989, and was in the New Zealand team beaten 25-12 by Australia in the 1988 World Cup final in Auckland.
Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said: "He was a big strong forward and a wonderful man who we will miss sadly.
"On the field he was ferocious and fearless but off it he was a quiet, absolute gentleman.
"When his career finished, he didn't cut and run, he stayed in the town and was set for a brilliant career in education.
"He had just gained a promotion and was due to start a new job as a head of IT on Monday."
Anova
Shelford played for Wigan during their glory days of the late 1980s and early '90s and appeared in their Challenge Cup-winning sides of 1988, 1989 and 1990.
He won eight caps for the Kiwis, touring Britain in 1985 and 1989, and was in the New Zealand team beaten 25-12 by Australia in the 1988 World Cup final in Auckland.
Wigan chairman Maurice Lindsay said: "He was a big strong forward and a wonderful man who we will miss sadly.
"On the field he was ferocious and fearless but off it he was a quiet, absolute gentleman.
"When his career finished, he didn't cut and run, he stayed in the town and was set for a brilliant career in education.
"He had just gained a promotion and was due to start a new job as a head of IT on Monday."
Anova
