Tommy Sale awarded an MBE in Queen’s Birthday Honours List

Tommy Sale has received a message of congratulations from RFL chairman Richard Lewis following the news that the 92-year-old has been awarded an MBE for his services to rugby league.

Lewis said: “On behalf of everyone involved in rugby league I would like to extend sincere congratulations to Tommy for this honour.

“Tommy’s unstinting devotion to rugby league has spanned 80 years and he is one of sport’s genuine heroes, as well as one of the nicest men involved in rugby league.

“Tommy’s MBE recognises the outstanding contribution he has made – not just to Leigh but the sport as a whole. I’m sure everyone who knows Tommy will feel it could not have been made to a more deserving individual.”

Sale’s biography, Mr Rugby Leigh: The Tommy Sale Story, was released in 2010 after the Leigh great worked closely with sports journalist Andy Hampson.