Sacked Wakefield rugby league star Terry Newton found hanged

Newton, 31, was sacked by Wakefield earlier this year after being handed a two-year suspension from the game for using a performance enhancing drug.

It is thought he took his own life after becoming depressed over both his career and private life.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called to a house on Harswell Close in Orrell, Wigan, following a report of concern for his welfare.

"Officers went to the address and found the body of a 31-year-old man.

"Inquiries have been launched, but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death."

Rugby League declared itself in mourning tonight as tributes flooded in.

Newton, a father of two young girls, was known as one of the more colourful characters in the game.

Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis said: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Terry's untimely death.

"This is a personal tragedy and our thoughts are with Terry's partner, his children and his family at this terrible time."

Wakefield coach John Kear was too upset to comment but the club issued a statement saying: "Wakefield Trinity Wildcats would like to pass on their heartfelt condolences to Terry's family."

Newton, a hooker who also played for Leeds, Wigan and Bradford, represented Great Britain 15 times, scoring three tries and also won five England caps.

His career crumbled when he tested positive for a banned substance in November last year during pre-season training with Wakefield.

The fallen star took over a pub in the Wigan area with his father-in-law following his suspension. He had hoped to resurrect his career under Wildcats coach John Kear and, in his autobiography Coming Clean, he said he turned to human growth hormone in a bid to refresh his ageing body.

Newton joined Leeds as a teenager in 1998 and played in the inaugural Super League Grand Final that year and won a Challenge Cup winners' medal with the Rhinos in 1999.

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington, a former RFL president, said tonight: "It's a sad loss. Gary was a very talented player but was clearly a troubled man."

Newton subsequently gained a dream move to his home-town team Wigan Warriors, where he produced his best rugby, and was named in the 2003 Super League Dream Team.

He reluctantly moved to Bradford in 2006 and joined Wakefield 12 months ago after being offered a two-year contract.

Bradford chairman Peter Hood said: "We are all deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic news.

"Terry was the ultimate professional during his time at the club and it was a privilege to have known as a friend and colleague.

"We send our deepest sympathy to Stacey and his two children at what is a very, very sad time for everyone who knew him."

Rugby league was today mourning the sudden death of former Great Britain international Terry Newton.

The 31-year-old former Leeds, Wigan, Bradford and Wakefield hooker was found dead after police were called to his home near Wigan this afternoon.

One of the game's more colourful characters, Newton's career hit the heights when he played in all three Tests of the 2003 Ashes Series but was ended abruptly earlier this year with a two-year drugs ban.

It is thought he took his own life after becoming depressed over both his career and private life.

Newton, who leaves a partner and two young daughters, was serving a two-year suspension after becoming the first sportsman to test positive for the human growth hormone.

He had his playing contract cancelled by Wakefield in February after he was punished by the Anti-Doping Agency after admitting taking the banned substance.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police were called to a house on Harswell Close in Orrell, Wigan, following a report of concern for welfare.

"Officers went to the address and found the body of a 31-year-old man. Inquiries have been launched, but there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death."

Rugby Football League chairman Richard Lewis said in a statement: "We are deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Terry's untimely death.

"This is a personal tragedy and our thoughts are with Terry's partner, his children and his family at this terrible time."

Newton took over a pub in the Wigan area with his father-in-law following his suspension and recently spoke of his eagerness to work with the governing body to rid the game of drugs cheats.

"I've made one of the biggest mistakes of my life and I know it is something I will regret for the rest of my life," he said at the time.

He expressed a willingness to co-operate with the drugs authorities in the hope that he might be allowed to return to the game before his two-year ban expired.

A devoted father of two young girls, he was thought to have become distraught after being told that his marriage was over.

Newton, who gained 15 caps for Great Britain, joined Leeds as a teenager in 1998 after they won a court case preventing Warrington claiming him as their player.

He played in the inaugural Super League Grand Final that year and won a Challenge Cup winners' medal with the Rhinos in 1999.

He subsequently gained a dream move to his home-town team, where he produced his best rugby, and was named in the 2003 Super League Dream Team.

Told he did not figure in the future plans of Warriors coach Ian Millward, Newton moved reluctantly to Bradford in 2006 and joined Wakefield 12 months ago after being offered a two-year contract.

Newton had hoped to resurrect his career under Wildcats coach John Kear and, in his autobiography 'Coming Clean', he said he turned to human growth hormone in a bid to refresh his ageing body.

Wakefield coach John Kear was too upset to comment but the club issued the following statement: "Wakefield Trinity Wildcats would like to pass on their heartfelt condolences to Terry's family."

Leeds chief executive Gary Hetherington, a former RFL president, said: "It's a sad loss. Gary was a very talented player but was clearly a troubled man."

Newton scored 74 tries in 185 appearances for Wigan from 2000 to 2005 and chairman Ian Lenagan said: "Everyone at the club is devastated by the news.

"We would like to pass on our deepest condolences to Terry's family and friends at this time. Terry will be remembered as a great player of this club and rugby league in general and he was a larger than life character."

Bradford chairman Peter Hood said: "We are all deeply saddened and shocked by this tragic news.

"Terry was the ultimate professional during his time at the club and it was a privilege to have known as a friend and colleague.

"We send our deepest sympathy to Stacey and his two children at what is a very, very sad time for everyone who knew him."