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, and Batley, as a centre or scrum-half.[2] and coached at club level for Leeds (A-Team), and Batley.[3][4][5][6][7]
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| Full name | Frank Watson | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 6 January 1923 Hunslet, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 30 August 2016 (aged 93) Morley, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 10 st 10 lb (68 kg) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Scrum-half | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
editWatson 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
editWatson 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
editWatson 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
editReferences
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Leeds to pay tribute to legendary scrum-half "Shanks" Watson". Yorkshire Evening Post. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Frank "Shanks" Watson passes away aged 93". hunsletrlfc.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Frank 'Shanks' Watson". hunsletrlfc.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ a b c "Obituary - Frank 'Shanks' Watson". funeralzone.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Frank 'Shanks' Watson at hunsletrugbyleagueexparksideplayers.co.uk". hunsletrugbyleagueexparksideplayers.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
External links
edit- Search for "Watson" at rugbyleagueproject.org
- Lazenby Cup To Be Presented By Frank Watson (14 January 2011)
- Search for "Frank Watson" at britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
- Search for "Shanks Watson" at britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
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