WELL respected ex-Rugby League player and coach Ronnie Helme, who was responsible for developing talented youth players from the Leigh area has died, aged 72.

In the 1950s he played scrum-half for Rochdale Hornets and after retirement turned to coaching and youth development with Leigh RLFC, being responsible for the U17s and U19s teams, produced many gifted players for the professional game.

He comes from a famous rugby family -- his late brother Gerry was a world-class international scrum-half in the 1950s with Warrington.

Ronnie leaves a wife Dot, surviving sons Ian and Gerard, and six grandchildren.

The funeral took place on Thursday at Leigh St Joseph's Church.