A FORMER Warrington Wolves forward who's playing career was cut short by injury has died at the age of 87.

Joe Whittaker was a youngster in the early 1950s Wire pack and went on to help coach the club's rising talent.

The former salesman and accomplished artist died at at his Stockton Heath home on July 5, a few days after returning from hospital where he had spent six weeks as a result of a broken hip.

Warrington-born Whittaker, who had suffered from cancer for a number of years, made 14 appearances for The Wire between 1951 and 1952.

A horrendous knee injury at the age of 21 led to him never playing again.

He maintained his links with the club though.

Alongside Derek 'Nobby' Clarke, Whittaker helped coach the Warrington Colts for many years.

He was also involved in the Warrington Past Players' Association from its earliest days and was a regular at Wilderspool and then The Halliwell Jones Stadium for matches until he became too ill to attend.

His artistic talent benefitted the club, too.

He always took pride in presenting the likes of Allan Langer and Matt King with portraits of themselves.

A number of his paintings have been on display at The Halliwell Jones Stadium but, sadly, he had to hang up his paintbrush a couple of years ago through arthritis.

His playing career grew from being spotted playing for Walker’s Brewery ARL Club.

On returning from National Service in 1951 he joined his hometown team.

Ces Mountford, Warrington’s new coach, gave Whittaker his chance in the first team.

He made his debut for The Wire in the second row at Huddersfield on August 18, 1951.

The match, the first of the 1951-52 season, was won 13-9.

Four days later Joe made a try-scoring home debut at Wilderspool.

A spirited Hunslet were beaten 19-12, with Brian Bevan bringing the house down with two glorious tries.

Whittaker played in 11 of the first 12 matches of the season, including a narrow 19-13 defeat to the touring New Zealand side.

He partnered Harry Bath in the second row in a match at Oldham.

Bath hit an Oldham player at a scrum and as the teams came off at half-time, the mother of the Oldham player thought it was Whittaker and cracked him over the head with her umbrella!

His final game for Warrington was on February 2, 1952, when he scored a try in a 14-4 win over Oldham at Wilderspool.

The match is remembered for Bevan scoring his 300th career try.

To play in the Warrington pack of that era at such a young age shows how good a player Whittaker was and it is a huge shame that his potential was not fully realised due to the serious knee injury.

Warrington Wolves have sent their condolences to his son and daughter Mark and Karen, his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

His wife Barbara died more than 20 years ago.