Stunned York Wasps are considering taking part in a testimonial match for former winger Paul White, who tragically died at the weekend aged 35.

Speedy winger Paul White, as Wasps' fans remember him

It is believed he died of a heart attack at his home. Funeral details will be announced after a post mortem has been held.

White had three spells with the Wasps, the most recent being towards the end of last season when he made a comeback after eight months out of the game.

He made just one appearance, scoring a try in the 26-20 win at Doncaster, but he made a massive contribution to the Wasps' second division promotion bid.

Coach Dean Robinson paid tribute to the wingman who scored 35 tries in more than 100 appearances for the Wasps.

He said: "I was devastated to find about his tragic death and my heart goes out to his family. A more likeable character I've never met in rugby league.

"He answered the emergency call for me last season. He brought a great deal of experience, not just on the field but in training, and he was part and parcel of what we achieved last year. He was talking to the younger players at every session. Nobody was more delighted than Paul when we achieved promotion.

"It is sad he hasn't had the chance to put things back into the game as I know he would have liked to have done.

"If York as a club can do anything to assist his family, such as a testimonial, then they'll be a queue to the city centre of people wanting to help."

Chief executive Jim Race confirmed after yesterday's game with Hunslet Hawks, White's other former club, that he had spoken to Hunslet officials to see what the clubs could do to pay tribute. Although nothing had yet been decided, Race said a testimonial game, featuring former team-mates from both sides, was a possibility.

A minute's silence was held before yesterday's match at Huntington Stadium for White, who began his York career in November 1986. That first spell brought him 25 tries in 84 appearances before he left for Hunslet. However, White returned to York for the 1991-92 campaign, scoring 16 tries in 53 games before going back to the Hawks for the 1994-95 season.

Born on November 5, 1964, White, a father of two sons, was found dead in bed at his home in Bradford on Saturday by his wife Brenda.

His death is the third major tragedy for the game in the last six months, following the deaths of Rochdale Hornets duo Roy Powell and Karl Marriott.

Paul White's York RL career

Debut v Dewsbury as a triallist on October 12 1986.

Signed by Phil Lowe in November 1986 after four games as A N Other

Scored two tries v Workington (h) on November 2, 1986 to register his first points for York

Return to York for a third time, on loan from Hunslet and scored a try at Doncaster on June 28, 1998

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.