Len Marson

Leonard Marson (22 August 1918 – December 1994) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He played at representative level for England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Fitzwilliam Intermediates, Wakefield Trinity, Hunslet and wartime guest at Hull F.C., as a hooker or loose forward.

Len Marson

Personal information
Full name	Leonard Marson
Born	22 August 1918 Hemsworth district, England
Died	December 1994 (aged 76)
Playing information
Height	5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Weight	12 st 6 lb (79 kg)
Position	Hooker, Loose forward
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1939–52 Wakefield Trinity 305 23 0 0 69 1942–44 (guest) →Hull F.C. 1952–≥52 Hunslet Total 305 23 0 0 69 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1947–51 Yorkshire 6 1949 England 1 0 0 0 0
Source:

Background

Len Marson's birth was registered in Hemsworth district, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he died aged 76.

Playing career

International honours

Len Marson won a cap for England while at Wakefield Trinity in 1949 against France.

County Honours

Len Marson was selected for Yorkshire County XIII whilst at Wakefield Trinity during the 1947/48, 1948/49, 1949/50 and 1950/51 seasons.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Len Marson played hooker in Wakefield Trinity's 13-12 victory over Wigan in the 1946 Challenge Cup Final during the 1945–46 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 4 May 1946, in front of a crowd of 54,730.

County Cup Final appearances

Len Marson played loose forward in Wakefield Trinity's 9-12 defeat by Featherstone Rovers in the 1940 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1939–40 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 22 June 1940, played hooker in the 2-5 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1945 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1945–46 season at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 3 November 1945, played hooker in the 10-0 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1946 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1946–47 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 31 November 1946, played hooker in the 7-7 draw with Leeds in the 1947 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1947–48 Northern season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 1 November 1947, and played hooker, and scored a try in the 8-7 victory over Leeds in the 1947 Yorkshire Cup Final replay during the 1947–48 Northern season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 November 1947.

Club career

Len Marson made his début for Wakefield Trinity on Sunday 5 November 1939, he appears to have scored no drop-goals (or field-goals as they are currently known in Australasia), but prior to the 1974–75 season all goals, whether; conversions, penalties, or drop-goals, scored 2-points, consequently prior to this date drop-goals were often not explicitly documented, therefore '0' drop-goals may indicate drop-goals not recorded, rather than no drop-goals scored. In addition, prior to the 1949–50 season, the archaic field-goal was also still a valid means of scoring points.

Testimonial match

Len Marson's Testimonial match at Wakefield Trinity took place in 1951.

Contemporaneous article extract

"Joined Wakefield Trinity 1939 from Fitzwilliam Intermediates and played in various pack positions before taking over the hooking berth from Victor "Vic" Darlison. Gained Yorkshire County honours and was considered by many to be most unfortunate in not making at least one tour to Australia".

Genealogical information

Len Marson's marriage to Maud (née Hepton) was registered during fourth ¼ 1939 in Hemsworth district They had children; Stewart L. Marson (birth registered during second ¼ 1942 (age 81–82) in Hemsworth district), Maureen Marson (birth registered during first ¼ 1948 (age 75–76) in Hemsworth district), and David Marson (birth registered during second ¼ 1956 (age 67–68) in Lower Agbrigg district).