THE funeral of former York and Heworth rugby player Terry ‘Dubber’ Dolan will take place today after his passing last month.

A well-known figure in the York rugby league family, Terry died on Tuesday, June 23, aged 89, surrounded by his family at his home in Hansom Place, Clifton.

One of his relatives, Tom Sweeney, paid the following tribute:

“Terry was born on May 7, 1931, to William (nicknamed Billy) and Elsie Dolan in Walter Street off Heslington Road in York.

“‘Dubber’ was born into a family steeped in rugby league.

“Dubber and his older brothers, Peter and Laurie, all played as amateurs for Heworth ARLFC and the Irish National League Club (INL) as well as all featuring for Yorkshire before signing professional forms.

“Their father, Billy, played for Bradford Northern and York and for a time was physio for the Great Britain amateur team.

“Dubber played for successful teams at Heworth in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

“He also played for Castleford before being called up for National Service.

“He was also selected for the England Under-19s international team that played against France in Wigan.

“Having worked at the Station Hotel, Dubber served an apprenticeship as a bricklayer with Belts Builders.

“He had an interesting National Service in the Army where he served with Derek ‘Rocky’ Turner and Billy Boston - two of the most respected rugby league players of all time, although they did play rugby union in the Army.

“Terry and Derek went on to be life-long friends of Terry, with Derek being his best man at his wedding to wife Maureen in 1963.

“They were both physical training instructors in the Army and at times they escorted soldiers who had disobeyed the rules to Colchester Military Prison.

“When Dubber was demobbed he had reached the rank of sergeant.

“After National Service he resumed his bricklaying career and was proud to have worked on pre-fabricated houses, which housed many people after the Second World War.

“Dubber played for York Rugby League Club for ten years and retained his interest in rugby league until the end.

“At one York Ex-Players Association dinner event, he was presented with a plaque from Castleford for his playing days there.

“His other great interests were horse racing and keeping and racing greyhounds.

“Socially, he was also a keen domino player.

“Dubber’s funeral will take place today at St George’s Roman Catholic Church in York, though sadly, due to Covid-19, a celebration of his life cannot be held at the moment, but hopefully one will be held in the not too distant future.

“It is often said when people pass away that there will never be another like them and if this saying ever applied to anybody, it is to Terry ‘Dubber’ Dolan, a true character and a one-off.

“Rest in peace, Terry.”