Smudger joined Siddal when he was eight years old. He was a hard working, tough forward and always put his body on the line for his teammates. In training, he would put 100% in and listen to his coaches.

He was never the biggest or fastest player in his team, but his attitude and effort made sure that he improved every season as he moved through the age groups. He did this all the way up to the under 18s at Siddal before the professional clubs noticed his heart and determination showing through in the games he played in.

He played for Leeds Rhinos and Sheffield Eagles Academies before coming back to Siddal to play in the open age.

Smudger played in the 1st team from 2001 to 2014. During this time, Siddal won the National Conference League Grand Final three times (2003, 2004, 2009) and also won the National Cup (2009). In most of these seasons, Smudge was the captain of the team.

In September last year, 2017, Smudger was told that he had something called Motor Neurone Disease. This is a nasty illness where a person's muscles get weaker and weaker and there is no medicine or any operations that can cure it.

Not long after finding out that he had this, Smudger passed away on December 20th 2017. He was just 38.

A lot of you will not have known Smudger, but he was once in the team you play for now, he trained and played on the same pitches you do and loved putting the Siddal shirt on just like you do.

He then played for the open age teams when he was older just like you will. Smudger's son has started playing for the under 7s - just like your children will.

On September 2nd, there will be a launch of a campaign called 'I'm in for Smudger'.

To be in for Smudger, we're asking you to think about what you can do to raise money for the charity set up in his name, a charity we're supporting as a club.

The Nick Smith Foundation wants to help research into Motor Neurone Disease and support young people who have to face the heartbreaking death of their mum or dad. It's also pledging to help encourage more children to take up rugby league - as Smudge did all those years ago and his son is doing today.

Please help - your coaches will be able to help with ideas and there's more online at www.forsmudger.com, at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/ImInForSmudger and use the hashtag #ImInForSmudger on Twitter and Facebook .