a new thread about players you enjoyed watching who weren't quite top drawer

[Penkvik]

 

He failed a late fitness test and Willie Thompson replaced him, He later claimed that he was perfectly fit and couldn't believe it when told he had failed.
This helped to fuel the rumour that the committee had pressed the coach[Joe Egan], into playing the local lad in the final.

You're right mickey,I knew Billy played in the semi at Belle Vue but I thought he lost out to Gaydon in the final, another local who missed the final was Edgar Bate despite Frank Collier offering to stand down because he had been there and done it with Wigan. Joe Egan wanted his strongest team so went with Collier who collected the Lance Todd I think.

[geoffw]

As I remember it Gaydon was dropped for Billy Thompson because it was felt by the committee and Joe Egan  we would not have got to Wembley without Thompson's chip over the top and regather that won the semi final second replay v Castleford at Wakefield  so he had to play. The amazing thing was though he played on the wing for the only time I ever recalled him playing there as he was always at right centre. I think it was decided we needed Ged Lowe a great defensive player at stand off to lsnuff out thhe HKR half back danger that left Frank Myler and Briers as centres so Thompson slotted in on the wing.

[John]

Played in the '64 cup final against Hull KR,South African if I my memory is correct.

Rhodesian (now Zimbawe) to be correct

[Peter]

As I remember it Gaydon was dropped for Billy Thompson because it was felt by the committee and Joe Egan  we would not have got to Wembley without Thompson's chip over the top and regather that won the semi final second replay v Castleford at Wakefield  so he had to play. The amazing thing was though he played on the wing for the only time I ever recalled him playing there as he was always at right centre. I think it was decided we needed Ged Lowe a great defensive player at stand off to lsnuff out thhe HKR half back danger that left Frank Myler and Briers as centres so Thompson slotted in on the wing.

Billy Thompson and Harry Dawson were the centre partnership for a few seasons with Frank Myler at Stand off. [Frank was also the first choice stand off for GB]. When Ged Lowe came back from National service it was felt by the coaches that his best position was stand off and I think it was Joe Egan who asked Frank Myler to play centre, and Harry Dawson moved to the wing with Frank taking the Number 3 jersey and Billy Thompson the Number 4.

[Paul D]

Mark Sarsfield was utter tripe!

Disagree there WCC Sarsfield was under rated but was not tripe.  He knew where the try line was and if he got the ball in space he would always score.  He did lack a bit in size but he was young when he played for us.