Workington Town have paid tribute to the legendary Harry Archer, who has passed away at the age of 86.

The half-back, who is well remembered for his partnership with another great of the game Sol Roper, played for Town in the golden age of rugby league.

And the club he called home between 1953 and 1967 have led the tributes to their talented former star and coach, who was also inducted in their Hall of Fame.

"Everyone at the club is heartbroken to learn that Harry has passed away," said the club statement.

"A true Town great in an era of legends, a Hall of Famer, a former Town coach and above all a gentleman.

"The word legend is used too often but we make no apology for describing Harry as one.

"His exploits in a Town shirt with his partner Sol Roper are still talked about now and he stood out at a time when our club had a team full of rugby league greats including Edgar, Key and Southward.

"The club would like to pass on our condolences to his family and friends and we will mark the passing of one of our own in the manner suited to an unrivalled athlete and a good family man. RIP Harry."

Born in Dearham, in 1932, Harry went on to play a massive 387 games for Town, crossing the line for 64 engineered tries.

And his partnership with Roper was often described as the 'greatest double act in the club game'.

Harry established himself as Town's first choice stand-off in the 1955/56 season and it was in the same term that he made his Cumberland debut, scoring a try against Lancashire at Derwent Park.

He gained County Championship winners medals in 1961/62, 1963/64, 1965/66 and 1966/67, making a total of 14 Cumberland caps.

And he went on to win the highest honour, a place on the famous Great Britain Ashes-winning tour of Australia in 1958.

Workington reached both the Challenge Cup final and Championship final in 1958, Harry being a major factor in getting them there.

Town lost 9-13 at Wembley to Wigan, injuries playing a big part. Harry was knocked senseless by a high Mick Sullivan tackle early in the game and was not his usual effective self.

A Championship runners-up medal was all he got the following week too, when Hull beat Town 20-3 at Odsal, as the Cumbrians played with 12 men for 35 minutes.

He had to wait until 1962 before picking up a winner’s medal, when Town won the Western Division Championship.

Harry played his last game for Town on November 19, 1966 against Huddersfield before joining Whitehaven, for whom he made seven appearances before retiring.

Later in his life Harry spent some time coaching and, with Bill Smith, became joint head coaches of Town from May 1983 until June 1984 having taken the team to promotion at the end of that first season.