Hall of Fame - My Hall of Famer

This section is intended to post comments from site visitors about who they wish to see in the Hall of Fame and why. Comment can be posted at the Rugby League Hall of Fame Forum. If you have any memorabilia relating to the wider game that you think would grace the planned online Museum, please contact us via e-mail at hall@rlhalloffame.org.uk or fax on (0870) 132 5168.

I am hopeful that a series of articles will also appear here in support of potential Hall of Famers. If you would like to submit an article for publication, contact me.

Adam Williamson says "Willie Horne was the greatest rugby player ever."

Martin Sainty nominated Willie Horne

Llanllyfni nominated Martin Offiah, James Lowes, Joe Lydon, Ellery Hanley, Lance B Todd, Frano Botica, Cec Mountford and Andy Gregory

The Live Wire nominated Parry Gordon. "Twenty years loyal service at one club surely merits induction into the Hall of Fame"

Sam Kershaw says "John Etty whilst at Oldham and later at Wakefield won every domestic honour the game had to offer.  Derek Turner and Don Vines both playing for Oldham and Wakefield and won every domestic honour"

Sam also says "I think Oldham's Bernard Ganley from the "Fab 50s era" should be inducted into the Hall of Fame because he's the first player ever to kick over 200 goals and still holds the record for the fasted 100 goals. It took him only 18 matches to do so. He also set a Great Britain goal kicking record 10 conversions in one game against France and no-one yet has surpassed that."

Andy Hamilton nominates Harold Poynton of Wakefield Trinity. "Harold was a dynamic player in his time and played a pivotal role in many of Trinity's matches. A quick glance at the honours Trinity achieved during the 1960's speaks volumes, most notably the 1963 Challenge Cup Final victory over Wigan in which Poynton won the Lance Todd Trophy. To those supporters watching Poynton he seemed a slight, almost frail looking player, but as a defensive off-half he was one of the most feared players in the game. No doubt if you had asked the players of the time who they would want at No.6 when 'the chips were down' the same name would come up----Harold Poynton.
From Australia, Ray Bradshaw nominated Leeds' Mick Shoebottom. "When I lived in the UK I'd go to Headingley to just see "Shoey". The bloke was magic, he stood out even in a team of champions. Never took a backward step, no matter how big the other bloke was, and when he had the ball in his hands, watch out.

Tigers Diehard nominated Alf Ellaby

Chris Park says "Johnny Whiteley must surely be worthy of consideration for the RL Hall of Fame, having been chosen for three World Cup Squads as a player, as well as coaching one more; one full Tour as a player and Coach of the last Ashes winning Great Britain side to date (1970 Tour.)  From memory, I think John captained Hull to two Challenge Cup Finals and two Championship Finals, won 17 Great Britain caps and was never once sent off in all of his career which spanned something like 13 years. John always was, and still remains, a tremendous enthusiast for Rugby League, is a great ambassador for the sport"

Ray Hewson says Willie Horne is "the greatest stand off ever to don a jersey in either code certainly in this country"

From the USA, Jim Savage nominates Jack Fish, "the only Warrington player to score over 200 tries AND 200 goals. He featured in five Challenge Cup finals - the only `Wire` player to do so, and scored the first try in international rugby league in April 1904 in an England vs. Other Nationalities game at Central Park.

Kevin Lee says Steve Nash "captained Great Britain when they won the World Championship"

Terry Thorpe says "Alan Hardisty proved how good he was, through his achievements for Castleford in the Challenge Cup, for his outstanding performances whilst on tour with Great Britain and by being the most important player in the last Leeds side to win the League" (until last season)

Steve Dally nominates Jack Gore. "Jack played for Wales Rugby Union before joining Salford in February 1925. Whilst at Salford Jack claimed a unique record - on 4th December 1925 Jack played for Wales defeating New Zealand 34 pts to 10, 6 weeks later the New Zealand side saw double as Jack was picked for England to play against the same tourists"

Paul Hodgson says Martin Hodgson is in the Guinness Book of Records for the longest kick and was one of the best second row forwards to play for Swinton and Great Britain.
Michael Ahern nominates Arthur Smith "who played for Oldham and Great Britain. He was a great player and a great man, playing for many years and serving in the 1st world war where he was awarded the Military Medal"

Mrs K Simpson nominates Ken Gowers. "Loyal servant over 20 years to Swinton. Toured with Great Britain in 1966. A forgotten hero"

Daniel Hoyle says "I think you should include the great Trevor Foster in the Hall of Fame. He was not just a great player for Bradford Northern and Great Britain, but he is also a great ambassador for the sport; they don't call him 'Mr Rugby League' for nothing you know! He is the most respected man in and around Odsal as well as the city. He was not once cautioned or sent from field throughout his career and he dedicates his life to the sport and countless charities. This man rises above the sport and yet embodies everything that the game and sport should be all about."

Paul Durant says ""Malcolm Reilly. Back-to-back Challenge Cup wins (including Lance Todd) & back-to-back ARL Premierships. Terrorised Australian, New Zealand & French defences whilst a teenager & won 10 GB caps by the time he was 21. Deserves to be in the Hall Of Fame for his performances as a young tearaway forward whilst at Castleford, let alone his performances for Manly & GB."

Pete Barker says "I thought RL legend Brian McTigue was already in the Hall of Fame. He was before my time , but hearing older RL fans he should be in there."

Julie "can't believe that Clive Sullivan isn't mentioned"

John Pickles nominates Clive Sullivan "the first black captain of a home international side", Trevor Foster "for his service to RL and Bradford in particular" and Ellery Hanley "For his ability and skill in playing the game on both sides of the world"

Neil Margerison nominates Trevor Foster - as do Christian Richardson and Liane Holmes. "Trevor Foster - why not? The guy has done so much for Bradford and Rugby League. He was one of the few 'old skool' who didn't moan about the new game, in fact he endorsed it and lived for it, like he did with everything else. Some things that you wouldn't hear anymore - Odsal, Northern, Bulls, Noble, Karl and Leon Pryce and many more top players, past and present would not be here without him and i don't think you can say that about anyone else. Nobody I know has touched so many peoples lives, some without even knowing it as Trevor and it is shocking that he isn't already in the Hall of Fame"

Chris Russell reinforces the feeling about Trevor Foster. "It's a crime he's not already in there."

Steve May votes for Lionel Cooper. "His contemporaries Bevan, Boston and Van Vollenhoven are already honoured, so why not the fourth great winger of that era. Huddersfield record try scorer, one of only 4 players ever to score 10 tries in a match, he also scored 72 tries in a season which is very close to Rosenfeld's 80 record."

Alan Sunderland says "Tommy Harris must be considered for a place in the RL Hall of Fame. Without doubt the best hooker the game has seen, a member of the world cup winning team and still I believe the only hooker to have won the Lance Todd Trophy and on the losing side"

Stephen Marchant nominates Malcolm Reilly. "Player for club and country - Player in Australia - Coach for club and country"

Jim Tongue would like to nominate Willie Horne. "At a time when Britain needs the Great putting back into itself, it is fitting to remember and recognise one of just a few British captains who have wrested the Ashes from the Old Enemy. Willie is fondly remembered as a thoroughly nice guy who brought great excitement and a huge following to Rugby League, not only to his home town of Barrow, but wherever he plied his exceptional rugby talent. What would Barrow and Great Britain give to have a stand off of his ability playing today, with all the sport science and technology available to enhance even his remarkable talent. Regarded by his home town as nothing short of a hero, Willie has had a statue erected in his honour opposite Craven Park which has become a major attraction for visiting fans and young locals alike. Willie brought fame and good fortune to this outpost of Rugby League, now sadly struggling to revive past glories, and his just elevation to join the other Greats is long overdue. Please allow Willie to once again boost the feel good factor in this town by recognising his remarkable and unique skills and inducting him in the Hall."

Ian Glover says "As a loose or second row forward John Whiteley was a better player and had a more distinguished rugby league career than either Vince Karalius or Derek Turner, who are remembered more these days. He was bigger, more talented and versatile and much faster and far cleverer than they were, and they were both marvellous players by any standard. Hull's Steve Norton was also a world class loose forward but Hull fans who never saw Whiteley and who rate Norton higher are simply wrong. 'Gentleman John' Whiteley is and was a modest man, but his playing and coaching and community service record is awesome. He was the most dangerous attacking rugby forward of either code that I have seen, because of his great skill, vision and speed, allied to an incredible work rate and a 6'2"" 16 stone frame - and ball-handling ability that was way off the scale of normal ability. He was a great general and leader on the pitch and very unselfish, making far more tries for his team mates than the remarkable 156 that he scored himself. Had he played for Wigan in that team's golden era of the decade around 1990 he would have made Ellery Hanley, brilliant as he undoubtedly was, look small and slow! He was also the last person to be in charge of a British side that won a Test series against Australia. He should have been one of the first six or seven players to be in the Hall of Fame."

Mick McCann thinks Alan Hardisty and Keith Hepworth should be considered for inclusion.

David Marriott nominates Billy Ivison "though I never saw him play, all those who did reckoned he was one of the greatest players of the game. Also a relative of mine!" and Keith Jarrett "career sadly cut short by illness but the finest kicker of a ball I have ever seen; also a superb handler of the ball, quick as greased lightning"