Frank Barrow, the former Saints full back who made more than 250 appearances for the club, has died. Thatto Heath Crusaders posted a tribute after his death and described him as a founder member of Thatto Heath ARLFC in 1981.
He scored 13 tries for Saints between 1961 and 1972, a run that included the 21-2 win over Wigan in the Challenge Cup Final at Wembley in 1966. Tony Barrow and Billy Barrow also signed professionally at Saints, putting three Barrow brothers into the same club picture.
Thatto Heath and Saints
Barrow was born and bred in Thatto Heath and came through St Austin’s school in the mid-1950s. Thatto Heath Crusaders said: “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Frank Barrow.”
The club added: “Frank was a founder member of Thatto Heath back in 1981 and a true Thatto Heather through and through.” It also said: “His commitment, character, and love for the club have left lasting memories for so many of us.”
Leigh and the Floodlit Trophy
After leaving Saints, he joined Leigh and won the BBC2 Floodlit Trophy. He later coached at Oldham and Swinton, and in the early 90s he assisted Mike McClennan at Saints.
Thatco Heath Crusaders said: “Frank will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.” The tribute leaves out the basic obituary detail many readers will look for first: his age and cause of death, which have not been provided in the material available here.
For Saints supporters and the Thatto Heath rugby league community, the loss reaches two parts of the same story — the player who built a record at Saints, and the man who helped establish Thatto Heath ARLFC in 1981. The tributes now stand as the clearest public marker of how he is being remembered.
