A book of condolence has opened at St Helens RFC for former player Steve Prescott as Steve Prescott passed away following his long illness this weekend

Prescott, who played for St Helens, Hull and Wakefield and for England and Ireland, died of a rare form of stomach cancer aged 39. The St Helens-born star was diagnosed with pseudomyxoma peritonei in 2006.

The club said a book of condolence would remain open at Langtree Park for a week.State of Mind 188

He was a truly magnificent person and a proud son of St Helens” Eamonn McManus, St Helens RFC chairman

Fans have also been invited to leave tributes next to his mural by the club. St Helens chairman Eamonn McManus paid tribute to him, describing him as a “well-loved player, colleague and friend”.

“He was not merely a great rugby player, he was a truly magnificent person and a proud son of St Helens who we were all blessed to have known and whose memory and lasting legacy we will always cherish,” said Mr McManus.

Prescott started his professional career at St Helens, making 117 appearances, and scoring 52 tries, between 1993 and 1997.

He also played for Hull and Wakefield and for England and Ireland. He retired through injury in 2004 after spending a year out of the game with a broken kneecap. He set up the Steve Prescott Foundation in 2007 which has raised more than half a million pounds. He was appointed an MBE in 2009.

State of Mind would to pass on our condolences to a Steve’s family and friends