FORMER prop forward partners have died within a fortnight of each other.

Josh Gaskell, who joined Warrington from St Helens, was in tandem with Maurice Gallagher in the Wire front row 16 times in season 1957-58.

Gaskell died aged 84 on Monday, November 28, 10 days after ex-Leigh forward Gallagher, whose death at the age of 89 was reported last week.

The 1957-58 campaign was Gaskell’s first at Wilderspool, while it was Gallagher’s second, and they were teammates 30 times as Warrington finished a disappointing 13th in the Championship.

Gaskell, who made his debut in a 50-19 home win against Liverpool City in the Lancashire Cup on August 31, 1957, had a run of five games in the second row before blossoming into leading his new team from the front alongside Gallagher.

At 16st 9lbs Gaskell was a giant in either role and continued to switch between positions during his 61 appearances in primrose and blue.

His last game for The Wire was a 24-15 defeat at Keighley on February 28, 1959, while Gallagher’s last of his 44 games for Warrington came the previous October and ended a pro career that also included spells with Rochdale Hornets, Belle Vue Rangers and Barrow.

Born Joseph Gaskell, but known universally as Josh, the former Greenall Whitley drayman also made his Saints debut against Liverpool City.

That came on March 20, 1954, as the first of 50 appearances for his hometown club.

He missed out on selection when Saints won the Challenge Cup for the first time in 1955-56 but was in the side defeated 10-3 by Oldham in the Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan, the following season.

His greatest moment in the red and white jersey was scoring twice in a famous tour match against the visiting Australians on November 24, 1956, when Saints won 44-2.

He also scored two tries in a game for The Wire on one occasion, the pair coming in a 32-15 home win against Leeds on September 6, 1958.