Leeds Rhinos news: Wembley hero joins Hall of Fame as icon becomes first name on Roll of Honour

Roy Dickinson, a prop in the 1970s and 80s, became the 37th Hall of Fame member during Rhinos’ annual players’ association lunch at AMT Headingley on Sunday. The same event saw former chief executive Gary Hetherington become the first name on the club’s Roll of Honour.

Four players are added to the Hall of Fame at a special event each summer, but Rhinos’ heritage committee broke tradition to honour Dickinson ahead of his upcoming emigration to Australia - catching the Leeds-born former forward totally off guard. Dickinson, now 69, was a schoolboy star before signing for his home city club and making his debut as a teenager in 1974.

He featured in the Loiners’ Premiership victory against St Helens the following year and was a back-to-back Challenge Cup winner at Wembley in 1977 and ‘78. Capped twice by Great Britain in 1985, his testimonial year for Leeds, he scored 20 tries during 303 games in blue and amber before moving to Halifax in 1986. He finished his playing career with Bramley, where he also had a spell as coach in 1991.

To be eligible for Rhinos’ Hall of Fame individuals must have played a minimum of 150 first team games for Leeds, achieved representative honours during their playing career at the club, made an outstanding contribution to the sport and been retired for a minimum of five years, though that could be reduced under exceptional circumstances.

Rhinos have now introduced the Roll of Honour to recognise others who gave “outstanding service” to the club, but don’t qualify for the Hall of Fame. Hetherington, who played alongside Dickinson in the 1970s, served as chief executive for 29 years before stepping down at the end of last month and was the heritage committee’s unanimous choice as inaugural name on the honour roll.