Frank Watson (rugby league)

Frank Watson (6 January 1923 – 30 August 2016[1]), also known by the nickname of "Shanks", was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached in the 1950s and 1960s. He played at representative level for Yorkshire, and at club level for Hunslet, York (World War II guest), Leeds (Heritage № 865), and Batley, as a centre or scrum-half, i.e. number 3 or 4, or, 7.[2] and coached at club level for Leeds (A-Team), and Batley.[3][4][5][6][7]

Frank Watson
Personal information
Full nameFrank Watson
Born6 January 1923
Hunslet, England
Died30 August 2016 (aged 93)
Morley, England
Playing information
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight10 st 10 lb (68 kg)
PositionScrum-half
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1940–49 Hunslet 246 57 0 1 173
1942/43 → York (guest)
1949–57 Leeds 122 18 1 0 56
1957–59 Batley
Total 368 75 1 1 229
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≥1940–≤49 Yorkshire
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1958–62 Batley

Background

Watson was born in Hunslet, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he worked as a bus conductor, and he died aged 93 in the Alexander Care Home, Victoria Road, Morley, West Yorkshire, England.[6]

Playing career

Watson represented Yorkshire while at Hunslet. He played in Hunslet's 18-10 victory over New Zealand during the 1947–48 New Zealand rugby tour of Great Britain and France match at Parkside, Hunslet during October 1947. Watson appeared in a Great Britain trial match in advance of the 1946 Great Britain Lions tour while at Hunslet, but ultimately he was not selected for the tour, he made his début for Leeds in the 21-13 victory over Hunslet at Parkside, Hunslet on Saturday 1 October 1949, he broke right-ankle in 1951, he played his last game for the Leeds on Saturday 8 October 1955.

Coaching career

Watson was the player-coach of Leeds' A-Team that included the future 'This Sporting Life' author David Storey, and was the coach of Batley from June 1958 to June 1962.

Personal life

He was married to Lilian (née Duffy).[6]

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References
  1. "Who is Leeds RL's greatest ever scrum half?". Yorkshire Evening Post. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. "Profile at leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk". leedsrugby.dnsupdate.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 18 November 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. "Leeds to pay tribute to legendary scrum-half "Shanks" Watson". Yorkshire Evening Post. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "Frank "Shanks" Watson passes away aged 93". hunsletrlfc.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. "Frank 'Shanks' Watson". hunsletrlfc.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. "Obituary - Frank 'Shanks' Watson". funeralzone.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. "Frank 'Shanks' Watson at hunsletrugbyleagueexparksideplayers.co.uk". hunsletrugbyleagueexparksideplayers.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
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