FORMER Swinton and Welsh Rugby League captain Douglas 'Ralph' Morgan has passed away after a short illness at the age of 89.

Morgan joined the Station Road club during the 1946-47 season after a union career that saw him earn international trials with Newport, his early days in the union code having been spent with Machen and Cross Keys.

He gained Welsh international honours in league captaining his country against France in Swansea in April 1947 when he played against the famous French international Puig Aubert. That was the second time that Morgan had faced the famous Frenchman, having played against Carcassonne for Swinton the previous month.

Morgan was noted for his kicking abilities and he actually burst the old leather ball on his Swinton debut. After Swinton he crossed the Pennines for a season with Leeds before returning to Lancashire to finish his playing days with Belle Vue.

Whilst playing for Newport he had been watched by Leeds officials in a game against the Kiwis but the Yorkshire officials returned home and opted to sign New Zealander Bert Cook instead.

Indeed, Cook and Morgan opposed each other when Newport drew 3-3 with the magnificent New Zealand European Forces (Kiwis) team on December 29, 1945