Billy Belshaw

William Belshaw (20 February 1914 – 6 December 1975) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Liverpool Stanley, Warrington and Wigan (World War II guest), as a goal-kicking fullback, or centre, i.e. number 1, or, 3 or 4.[1]

William Belshaw
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Belshaw
Born20 February 1914
Wigan
Died6 December 1975
Wigan
Playing information
PositionFullback, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1933–34 London Highfield 41 9 3 0 33
1934–37 Liverpool Stanley 114 17 137 0 325
1937–46 Warrington 132 29 167 5 431
1943–44 Wigan (guest) 51 9 43 0 113
Total 338 64 350 5 902
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1935–45 England 11 0 17 0 34
1936–37 Great Britain 8 0 0 0 0
1935–46 Lancashire 12 1 18 0 39
Source: [1][2][3]

[4]

Playing career

Club career

At club level, Belshaw played for Liverpool Stanley until 1937, when he was signed by Warrington for a record fee of £1,450,[5] (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £233,900 in 2015).[6] He went on to make 132 appearances for Warrington.[7] He also appeared for Wigan as a World War II guest player.[8]

International honours

Billy Belshaw, won caps for England while at Liverpool Stanley in 1935 against Wales, in 1936 against Wales, in 1937 against France, while at Warrington in 1938 against France, and Wales, in 1939 against France, and Wales, in 1940 against Wales, in 1941 against Wales, in 1943 against Wales, in 1945 against Wales,[2] and won caps for Great Britain while at Liverpool Stanley in 1936 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), in 1937 against Australia, while at Warrington, and in 1937 against Australia (2 matches).[3]

County honours

Billy Belshaw played fullback, and scored 2-goals in Lancashire's 7-5 victory over Australia in the 1937–38 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France match at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Wednesday 29 September 1937, in front of a crowd of 16,250.[9]

Championship Final appearances

Billy Belshaw played right-centre, i.e. number 3, and scored a goal in Wigan's 13-9 victory over Dewsbury in the Championship Final first-leg during the 1943–44 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 13 May 1944,[10] and played right-centre in the 12-5 victory over Dewsbury in the Championship Final second-leg during the 1943–44 season at Crown Flatt, Dewsbury on Saturday 20 May 1944.[10]

Other notable matches

Billy Belshaw played centre and was captain for a Rugby League XIII against Northern Command XIII at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 21 March 1942.[11]

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References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. RL Record Keeper's Club
  5. "Sure Gate Wilderspool - 1922 to 1945". Warrington Wolves. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  6. "Measuring Worth - Relative Value of UK Pounds". Measuring Worth. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  7. "Belshaw, Billy". Warrington Rugby League RLFC Players Archive. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  8. Latham, Michael; Gate, Robert (1992). They played for Wigan. Adlington: Mike R.L. ISBN 978-0-9516098-2-8.
  9. "Wilderspool hosts memorable win". totalrl.com. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  10. "1943–1944 War Emergency League Championship Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  11. "inside programme, Northern Command v. A Rugby League XIII, 1942". rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk. 31 December 2012. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
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