RIP Liam Walsh: Tributes pour in for former Widnes and England Academy player

Drew Darbyshire

Tributes have poured in on social media for former Widnes player Liam Walsh, who has tragically passed away aged 23.

Walsh worked his way through every stage of the system at hometown club Widnes and gained international honours for England Academy before making his first team debut in Super League in 2017.

Walsh went on to make another five appearances for the Vikings before departing the club in 2019.

Widnes chief executive Phil Finney, who worked closely with Walsh through the academy, said: “I am devastated to hear the news of Liam’s passing this morning. Liam was a very special person and a very important part of our club for a number of years.

“He made a lasting impression on everyone he met with his sense of humour and contagious personality, he was a one off and will be remembered with great fondness by all at the club who had the pleasure of knowing him.

“We are all thinking about his family and friends at this really sad time.”

Tributes poured in on social media for Walsh…

Widnes observed a minute’s silence prior to Sunday’s match against Swinton, with the players wearing black armbands in honour of Walsh.

Championship Liam Walsh