Wednesday 6 April 2016 14:43, UK
Mick Sullivan was one of the toughest players the game has ever seen, a man who played with such enthusiasm and commitment that the opposition knew they were in for a hard time as soon as the whistle blew.
His solid, often cruel defensive attributes made him a winger like no other in a golden era for the game.
Thankfully, Mick Sullivan was added to the illustrious names in the Rugby League Hall of Fame before he passed away.
It was a tribute that had been long overdue.
When I first turned professional at Dewsbury, in the mid-sixties, Mick was player-coach and was always willing to pass on his experience, taking the time to welcome all the young juniors arriving at the club.
His try-scoring prowess was legendary, Mick being a difficult man to stop, possessing pace, strength and a side-step to match the best. And then there was that brutal defence - no wonder Wigan (1957-58) and St Helens (1960-61) paid record transfer fees for his services.
When he retired from the game opposition players must have breathed a sigh of relief that this true man of steel had hung up his boots. Even in his latter playing career, 'Sully' let you know that he was on the pitch.
His record speaks for itself. Not one but two World Cup winners medals in 1954 and 1960, four Ashes winning series against Australia (1956, 1958, 1959 and 1962) and a record breaking 46 Test appearances for Great Britain that elevated him to stardom whilst playing for Huddersfield, Wigan and St Helens before earning his last cap whilst at York.
Those were his golden seasons but even in his later years he still pushed his body to the limit especially when he returned from Australia and joined hometown Dewsbury.
Now, he was playing at loose-forward and whilst he may have lost some speed and agility he retained that fire in his belly and almost took Dewsbury to Wembley in 1966, succumbing gallantly to St Helens in a rugged Challenge Cup Semi-Final at Swinton's Station Road ground.
After his spell at Dewsbury he went to Australia to haunt them still further. He enjoyed a three-season finale as captain coach of Junee in New South Wales.
Gentle giant
Anyone who crossed paths with the great man quickly realised what a character he was. His cheeky smile and ability to tell a yarn was invaluable to such youngsters such as me.
When he retired from the game opposition players must have breathed a sigh of relief that this true man of steel had hung up his boots. Even in his latter playing career, 'Sully' let you know that he was on the pitch.
But, like so many of his ilk, he was a totally different character away from the heat of battle, a gentle giant who was always willing to pass on his vast knowledge and experience to those who wanted to learn from him.
Mick lived for rugby league and never forgot his grass roots, endlessly and eagerly giving enormous support to his junior club, Shaw Cross, the club put him on the road to stardom.
For many years I would meet up with Sully at the Station Hotel, near the famous Dewsbury Market stalls, and he would sit in his favourite spot, passing the time of day with all and sundry, that beaming smile spread across his face as tales from the past flowed.
I was proud to be his mate, not just because of his enormous prowess on the playing field but for the passion he passed on for a game he loved. He had his run-ins with officialdom but remained a lover of our code.
It was a relief that that wonderful smile never faded and its memory that will stay with me forever.
Farewell to a hero who gave his all to the Greatest Game on Earth.
