Leeds Rhinos nostalgia remembering when Roy Powell led Headingley exodus to Bradford Bulls

Dewsbury-born forward Powell made his debut for Leeds in 1983 and made more than 200 appearances for the club before a shock move to neighbours Bradford Northern nine years later. He went on to have spells with Featherstone Rovers and Batley Bulldogs and was on the coaching staff at Rochdale Hornets when he suffered a fatal heart attack at a pre-season training session on December 27, 1998.

Powell was only 33 when he died and it was a tragedy which threw the entire rugby league community, but especially the West Yorkshire corner of it, into mourning. Strong and powerful, with a high work rate, Powell was one of the most respected and popular players in the game.