Oxford United FC owner Ian Lenagan led the tributes to former Great Britain rugby league player Terry Newton (below), who was found hanged at his home in Orrell on Sunday.

It is understood the31-year-old former Leeds, Wigan, Bradford and Wakefield hooker, who was serving a two-year doping ban, took his own life.

And Lenagan, who is also Wigan Warriors chairman, said: “Terry will be remembered as a great player . . . he was a larger than life character.”

Bradford chairman Peter Hood added: “He was the ultimate professional.”