A FORMER rugby player has cemented his name in the history books after holding several records for more than 50 years.

Mick Martyn, from Culcheth, scored 189 tries in the 328 appearances he made for Leigh, making him the highest-ever try scorer for the team.

Not only that, when his tries during appearances for county and country are added on, his total is 213 – meaning he is still the highest try-scoring forward.

Both these records he has held for more than 50 years but the grandfather, who likes to keep people guessing about his age, is modest about his achievements.

“I didn’t really think about it at the time,” he said.

“Being a forward, people don’t really expect you to score tries but it is just the way things have turned out.

“When you’re young and fit, you are taught to support the play of the ball.”

Born and bred in Leigh, Mick learned rugby at St Joseph’s School and went on to play for Bickershaw Collieries and Wigan Road.

He was signed by Leigh, in November 1952, when he was 16 years old and made his debut in September 1954, against Dewsbury.

Mick, who owned a hairdressers on Twist Lane and later a grocers in Pennington, was chosen to play for Great Britain against a touring New Zealand team and on a Lions tour in 1958, where he set another record, scoring 23 times in 16 appearances.

Last but not least, Mick set another record by scoring 15 times in 11 consecutive games for Leigh in 1959.

A fan of Mick said: “We have a world record holder in our midst. His place in rugby league history is assured.”