Ian Van Bellen

Ian Van Bellen (30 October 1945[2] – 30 July 2019), also known by the nickname of "Selwyn" (after his perceived facial similarity to Bill Maynard who appeared in Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt!), was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Ian Van Bellen
Personal information
Born(1945-10-30)30 October 1945
Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died30 July 2019(2019-07-30) (aged 73)
Playing information
Rugby union
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Huddersfield R.U.F.C.
Rugby league
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1963–≥63 Huddersfield
1970–73 Castleford 51 11 5 3 49
≤1977–80 Bradford Northern
1980–≥80 Fulham RLFC
Blackpool Borough
1982–83 Halifax
Kent Invicta
≤1985–85 Keighley
Total 51 11 5 3 49
Source: [1]

He played club level rugby union (RU) for Huddersfield R.U.F.C., and club level rugby league (RL) for Huddersfield, Castleford (Heritage №), Bradford Northern (Heritage №), Fulham RLFC (Heritage № 8), Blackpool Borough, Halifax (Heritage № 910), Kent Invicta and Keighley, as a prop, i.e. number 8 or 10, during the era of contested scrums.[1][3][4][5][6][7]

Background

Ian Van Bellen was born in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he suffered a stroke during late 2017, he died aged 73, his funeral took place at Huddersfield Crematorium, 64 Fixby Road, Huddersfield, HD2 2JF at 1:15pm on Wednesday 21 August 2019, followed by a reception at Huddersfield YMCA, Laund Hill, Salandine Nook, New Hey Road, Huddersfield HD3 3XF.

Playing career

County Cup Final appearances

Ian Van Bellen played right-prop, i.e. number 10, (replaced by interchange/substitute Alan Ackroyd) in Castleford's 7-11 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1971 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1971–72 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 21 August 1971.

John Player Trophy Final appearances

Ian Van Bellen played as an interchange/substitute, i.e. number 15, (replacing Prop Colin Forsyth) in Bradford Northern's 6-0 victory over Widnes in the 1979–80 John Player Trophy Final during the 1979–80 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 5 January 1980.

The "Fartown Stone"

Ian Van Bellen retrieved the "Fartown Stone" when a section of the Fartown Ground, Huddersfield was being demolished, the "Fartown Stone" now resides at the Kirklees Stadium, Huddersfield.[8][9]

Genealogical information

Ian Van Bellen was the son of Kenneth H. Van Bellen (a long-serving steward at Huddersfield R.U.F.C.'s Waterloo ground) and Evelyn (née Crawshaw), the younger brother of Colin J. Van Bellen (birth registered second ¼ 1942 in Huddersfield district – death unknown), and the rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s for Huddersfield; Victor T. "Vic" Van Bellen (birth registered first ¼ 1944 (age 75–76) in Huddersfield district), and the older brother of the rugby league footballer; Gary Van Bellen.

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References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  3. David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000) "Images of Sport - Castleford Rugby League - A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0752418957
  4. "Castleford RLFC A to Z Player List (All Time)". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk ℅ web.archive.org. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  5. "Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk ℅ web.archive.org. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  6. "Club Statement: Ian Van Bellen". giantsrl.com. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 3 August 2019.
  7. "Former Bradford Northern forward Ian Van Bellen dies, aged 73". thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  8. "Giants Supporters - Heritage". giantssupporters.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  9. "Huddersfield RL Heritage - Archive". huddersfieldrlheritage.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
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