WIDNES Vikings have paid tribute to former player Kyle White who has sadly died in his his sleep, at home in Penrith Australia, aged just 53.

The tough tackling, but mobile forward joined Widnes during the 1997 season and was made club captain by then coach Graeme West.

Kyle scored nine tries from 48 appearances for the Vikings, with his final game for the Vikings coming in August 1998.

A former Australian Schoolboy international, Kyle represented Canterbury, Wests and Illawarra in the ARL/NRL and Workington Town in England before heading to Widnes.

He had a short spell at Lancashire Lynx following his departure from the Vikings.

Off the field, Kyle had a stint as the licensee of Kelly’s pub in Victoria Road, Widnes.