Signed from the St Joseph’s amateur club in Huddersfield in January 1965, when still only sixteen, Bob had a meteoric rise to senior status in the Oldham side and was in the first team before the end of the 1964-65 season.
Bob was a second row forward whose greatest asset was his powerful surges when in possession. One of the truly great “running” forwards to have played for the club, he would not have been out of his depth in any of the teams from more illustrious periods in the history of Oldham RLFC.
Honours came quickly and he was soon representing Great Britain Under 24’s against the French. Yorkshire county selection followed and by the time he left to join Wigan in 1973, he had won eleven full Great Britain caps. He was also selected for the 1970 tour to Australia and New Zealand. This was achieved despite the 1969-70 season being the worst in the history of the club and his inclusion speaks volumes for the form and dedication of the player in such adverse circumstances.
One match that will always stand out in the memory was a Challenge Cup second round replay against Bradford on “leap” day (Feb 29th) 1968. Northern were the form team at the time and in front of over 18,000 spectators, Bob turned in a super show to run in two tries, in a famous 12 – 2 victory.
Player profile
Signed from the St Joseph’s amateur club in Huddersfield in January 1965, when still only sixteen, Bob had a meteoric rise to senior status in the Oldham side and was in the first team before the end of the 1964-65 season.
Bob was a second row forward whose greatest asset was his powerful surges when in possession. One of the truly great “running” forwards to have played for the club, he would not have been out of his depth in any of the teams from more illustrious periods in the history of Oldham RLFC.
Honours came quickly and he was soon representing Great Britain Under 24’s against the French. Yorkshire county selection followed and by the time he left to join Wigan in 1973, he had won eleven full Great Britain caps. He was also selected for the 1970 tour to Australia and New Zealand. This was achieved despite the 1969-70 season being the worst in the history of the club and his inclusion speaks volumes for the form and dedication of the player in such adverse circumstances.
One match that will always stand out in the memory was a Challenge Cup second round replay against Bradford on “leap” day (Feb 29th) 1968. Northern were the form team at the time and in front of over 18,000 spectators, Bob turned in a super show to run in two tries, in a famous 12 – 2 victory.