FIVE unsung heroes who have devoted their lives to rugby league in the town are set to be immortalised at the Halliwell Jones Stadium.

Community club volunteers, referees and photographers were among the quintet given Heart and Sole Awards by the Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation in a ceremony at the stadium on Saturday, November 11.

Each recipient will now have their name immortalised in a footprint to be permanently displayed in the South Stand at the Wire’s home ground.

Ex-England international cricketer and former Lymm High School pupil Neil Fairbrother presented the awards to Harry Crank, Mike McLoughlin, Colin Stanton, Tony Parker and George Thornton.

Harry Crank joining Woolston Rovers in the 1960s and would set up training sessions for junior players in 1974, which saw Rovers’ u18s win the National Youth Cup in 1976.

Helping to raise funds for the opening of the club’s jubilee pavilion in 1978, Harry was at the forefront of efforts to improve Woolston Rovers’ facilities in the 1990s - including a new stand, floodlights and changing rooms.

He then helped to rebuild the club after its devastating clubhouse fire in 2002.

Mike McLoughlin became the town’s u11s assistant in the early 1990s, with memorable moments including coaching a side to victory at Wembley in 1995 and being a part of the team that went unbeaten in 2000 - featuring players such as Mike Cooper and Lee Mitchell.

He set up the rugby academy at Beamont Collegiate Academy in 2000 and is now head of year eight at the school, having coached all year groups during his teaching career.

Colin Stanton joined Warrington Borough Council in 1956 aged 15, and would work in outdoor facilities for the next 49 years.

He began refereeing in 1976 before hanging up his whistle 22 years later in 1988 and working as a secretary for the Warrington Rugby League Referees’ Society.

Tony Parker joined Crosfields as a player in 1984 and turned out for the club for more than a decade - winning the BARLA National Cup in 1989 and captaining the second team to victory in the Warrington Cup at Wilderspool in 1996.

Retiring in 1997, Tony took a leading role on the committee and was a key part of the clubhouse’s refurbishment in the mid-1990s.

He continues to serve Crosfields as a director of its community interest company.

George Thornton has enjoyed a 50-year association with Warrington Wolves, playing for the A-team before helping on matchdays and during training sessions.

As a volunteer, he has spent 40 years taking pictures on Wire matchdays and during photoshoots as well as serving as the chairman of the Warrington Past Players’ Association for the past 15 years.

Warrington Wolves Charitable Foundation director Neil Kelly said: “It’s one of those events that brings the rugby league family together and you always come away smiling.

“These people have been the footprints of the game in the past few decades - whether they’ve been refereeing, marking out the pitches or developing clubs’ facilities.”