Very sorry to advise the forum that Alan has passed away this morning. I am too young to have watched him play but have spent time in his company in the last few years. Ferocious player by all accounts.
Rip Alan.

Rip

Sad news indeed.

I've seen Alan a coupke of times over the last 18 months, and he was literally a shadow of the man that many of us in our 40's and over, remember, due to ill health.

To those of a younger age, or who only started watching in the 90's, the word [iuncompromising[/i was an understatement. Tough as nails, and a good player too. I was always happy to see his name on the teamsheet. What a second row partnership he had with Mark Roberts.

A sad day, especially after only 5 months since the passing of Johnno.

RIP

RIP, loved watching him play at Wilders.

Could have been world class if he could have kept his temper under control. Really intimidated opposition forwards though!

Alan was outstanding as a stand off for Warrington schoolboys. He had all the skills. So it was a bit surprising that he wasn't picked up by Wire at the start of his career rather than at the end of it.

RIP

A great player but even better bloke to know

Pleasure to watch when he stayed on the park and could control that swinging arm. R.I.P Alan it was a pleasure to see you play.

Like Boyd,Tamati,Jackson + co I used to love seeing Alan's name on the team sheet as the guy was hard as nails + opposition players cert felt it when he tackled them.Shame he went a bit astray in life when he retired but nonetheless a great old fashioned tough guy.RIP Alan.

He was the best motivator I ever saw at Warrington.
As a ball boy I overheard him several time geeing up the guys.
Once in particular stuck in my mind and is how I always remember him...
"Come on...lets fxxxxxg kill em!"
Rip

Well I suppose as motivational speeches go its not exactly up there with Henry V at Agincourt or Winston Churchill re Alamein but it did get the job done!

Once more to Central Park dear friends, once more. Or close the walls up with their Wigan dead.

I remember one game we actually took my mum (only went a few times but now an avid tv wire supporter due to Heath), she was commenting on the size of les boyds legs as rathbone clotheslined an opponent! Straight red! Top player in his day.. Aways had an edge! RIP

Ferocious on the pitch but a thoroughly nice guy off it. His best days as a player were probably behind him by the time he joined Warrington. 'Tough' doesn't come close to describing his style of play making him the most feared player in the league during his time at Bradford.
RIP Alan.

His career at Leeds was very short - about 35 minutes. He was signed to give us a rough edge (this being the 80s we rightfully had a reputation for generally having the woosiest pack around). He got his jaw broken in his only game and never played for us again due to his - ahem - "off-field activities".

Alan Rathbone gets a chance mention in the 'BBC FLOODLIT' piece on last Monday nights SL Show.

I played against Alan at School he played for Bewsey i played For Orford Sec, his nickname at the time was "Action" we also played together for Warrington School Boys. He was a year younger than me but was that good played for the year above. We also kept in touch for some years after leaving school. A really great guy and such a sad loss at such a young age. I would like to send all Alan's family my condolences. RIP Alan

Paul