A PUB linked to a Huddersfield sporting legend could shut.

Frank “Spanky” Dyson remains one of Fartown’s best-known rugby league legends.

His honours included Yorkshire and Great Britain appearances, and his goal kicking talent was the talk of the town.

After he left the game he took on the role of publican at The Harp in Bradford Road, Fartown, which inevitably became known as Spanky’s.

But the pub that became synonymous with him in the late 1960s and 1970s could now be sold off.

Andy Clifford, property and strategy director of Admiral Taverns, said: “We regularly review the pubs that we own and, from time to time, we do have to take the decision to sell pubs that we do not believe have a long-term future in our business.

“Unfortunately The Harp Inn is such a pub.

“In these circumstances, it is our strong preference that any property that we sell remains as a pub, though we have to accept that the future use will ultimately pass into the hands of a new owner and the local authorities.”

Dyson, who was renowned as one of the finest and most accurate goalkicking fullbacks in the history of the game, died from a heart attack aged only 48 on October 31, 1979.

He became ill at his public house and was taken to hospital where he died.

‘Spanky’ was the nickname given to him as a schoolboy which stuck.

He was born on March 14, 1931, and attended Hillhouse Council School, which enjoyed a longstanding rugby reputation and was situated just outside the old Fartown ground.

The Harp still has its own loyal following.

But lovers of real ales are more likely to visit The Slubbers further along Bradford Road, which has an impressive number of beers.

The Railway pub, also on Bradford Road, is just a handful of yards away too.

Like many pubs, it faces part of the nationwide malaise whereby not a week goes by without several pubs being turned into flats, houses, Indian restaurants and even delicatessens.