Syd Hynes dead aged 80: Leeds legend and former England and Great Britain star dies as tributes flood in

RUGBY league legend Syd Hynes has sadly passed away at the age of 80.

The former Leeds and England star died after a short illness.

Hynes starred for Leeds between 1965 and 1976.

He made 366 appearances for the club and scored 158 tries.

Hynes returned to the club after his retirement in order to coach and take charge of the team from 1975 to 1981.

In this period, he helped the team complete Challenge Cup triumphs in 1977 and 1978.

He was inducted into the Leeds Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2019.

Hynes lived out his final years in Perth, Australia.

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said: "It is a sad day for the club to have lost a legendary player, captain and coach, who was an incredible character.

"Our thoughts are with his two nieces and Syd’s many friends both here in England and over in Perth.

"We will pay tribute to Syd at our Boxing Day game and we will also look to organise an event for his former club and country team-mates and opponents to come together to celebrate his life in due course."

Hetherington was signed by Hynes while he was the coach of the side back in 1978.

Fans have also paid tribute to Hynes on social media.

One posted: "RIP to a club legend with Leeds in his heart!

"He had a unique gift… always passionate and always generous with his time whenever I was lucky enough to be in Syd’s company, I came away feeling uplifted."

A second wrote: "Rest easy Syd, great player, top bloke, skillful and solid, excellent skipper, will be greatly missed, rest in peace Syd."

A third commented: "Sad news. My Dad always talked about Syd. Leeds legend."

A fourth said: "Such sad news Syd was an all time great for the Leeds club."

Another added: "RIP Syd . You were the reason I got into RL and became a Leeds (Rhinos) RL supporter from the soft south."

Hynes also represented Yorkshire, England and Great Britain during his career.

The former centre won caps for England in 1969 against Wales and France and then two more in 1970.

He also played against Australia and New Zealand for Great Britain in the 1970 Rugby League World Cup.

Hynes was also a part of the last Great Britain squad to win an Ashes series in Australia in 1970.

He made history during his playing career as he was the first player ever to be sent off in a Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

He was involved in an incident with Leigh's Alex Murphy during the 1971 clash, during which he was given his marching orders.