Batley Bulldogs
Encyclopedia
Batley Bulldogs are an English professional rugby league
club from Batley
, West Yorkshire
. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union
in 1895. They were Champions for the first, and only time to date, in 1924 and are 3 times Challenge Cup winners.
home on 23rd October 1880 to determine which was the town's premier rugby side and worthy of the cricket club. Both sides claimed victory but the cricket club chose Batley Athletic to join them.
The new club's first game was at home against Bradford Zingari which they won by 2 goals, 3 touchdowns, 2 dead balls and one touch goal to nil. The first season finished with Batley having won
15 games and drawn 5 out of 26 matches played.
They won the Yorkshire Challenge Cup
in 1884 – 5 season beating Heckmondwike, Pudsey, Halifax, Salterhebble and Bradford before beating Manningham 8 minor points to 2 in the final held at Cardigan Fields in Leeds.
Batley was one of the original twenty-two clubs that met at the George Hotel, Huddersfield
on 29 August 1895 and formed the Northern Rugby Football Union
. Batley’s first match under the new union was on 7th September 1895 against Hull at Mount Pleasant with Batley winning 7 – 3.
Sixth in the Yorkshire Senior Competition of 1896/97, they battled their way to third spot come the end of the next season. Where knock-out competitions was concerned, they were peerless. In 1897, the 'Gallant Youths' became the first winners of the Challenge Cup
beating St. Helens 10-3, in front of a crowd of 13,492 at Headingley
. Batley retained the trophy by beating Bradford Northern
on the corresponding weekend the following year at Headingley in front of 27,941 spectators, which was then a record gate for a rugby match.
The club were Yorkshire League winners in 1898/99 and in 1900/01 won the Challenge Cup for the third and last time to date; once again Headingley was the venue as Batley defeated Warrington
6 – 0.
Wharton 'Wattie' Davies set club records for most appearance, goals and points between 1907-1912. Batley's next cup triumph came on 23rd November 1912 when Hull were defeated 17 – 3 at Headingley in Batley’s one and only Yorkshire Cup
win.
The 'Gallant Youths' reached the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup and led the league in November 1923. Batley were crowned champions on Saturday 3rd May 1924, lifting the Rugby League Championship Trophy for the only time in the club’s history, after defeating Wigan 13 – 7 in the final. The club were also Yorkshire League winners that season.
The record attendance was set at 23,989 for the visit of Leeds
for a third round Challenge Cup match on 14 March, 1925.
The club's name was changed from Batley Cricket, Athletic & Football Club Ltd to its present official name of Batley Football Club Ltd in June 1979.
The club celebrated its centenary in 1981 with a win over the league's new London team, Fulham.
In the 1960s the league was restructured into two divisions for two seasons before the single-division format was finally ditched in 1973 (there was also a three-season experiment with two divisions at the beginning of the twentieth century). Batley are one of only a few teams never to make it into the top flight, although they came very close in 1993/94. The last match of the season against Doncaster came down to being a play-off for a spot in the first division, but Batley lost 10-5 in front of a capacity crowd of 4,500 at Mount Pleasant, and their chance disappeared.
The local council suggests that Dewsbury and Batley ground share at Crown Flatt after refusing a grant towards safety repairs to Mount Pleasant in February 1987.
Batley looked set to join the elite in 1995 when they held off Huddersfield
to finish in second place, just two points behind champions Keighley
. The club succeeded in winning the Second Division Championship in the 1994–95 season. However, when the Super League
was created for the following year, Batley along with Keighley were excluded. The club estimated that the decision cost them around £500,000.
in 1998 beating Oldham in the final held at Mount Pleasant. Bulldogs were also promoted from the Second Division that same season.
In 2003, Barry Eaton
broke the world record for consecutive goals kicks.
The club underwent a major shake up in the coaching staff with the resignation of head coach David Ward
due to pressure from some supporters in the form of derisory comments in the local press. The new coaching first team set up involved Gary Thornton
as Head Coach and Paul Harrison.
After a tough season in 2005 Batley were into National League One relegation play-offs, facing bitter rivals and neighbours Dewsbury
. Victory in the final saw Batley stay up against increasingly well funded sides with Super League
ambitions.
2006 saw Batley start the campaign with little promise after a series of dismal performances in the Northern Rail Cup and the early rounds of National League One. However, coach Gary Thornton turned the side round and Batley made their way into the end of season play-offs. Jay Duffy's late drop goal sealed a 23-22 victory at Leigh
to end the Lancastrians' own hopes of promotion and ultimately earn Thornton the honour of National League coach of the year. Batley failed to replicate this success in the next round, crashing to a 30-0 defeat at Whitehaven
to put an abrupt end to their season.
After the previous season's mid-table finish 2009 started as a bad season for Batley. Gary Thornton
was sacked after a 60-22 loss on Easter Monday against Toulouse Olympique
30-24, in which Batley were 14-0 down at one stage. He was replaced by Karl Harrison
.
2010 has started for Batley with 5 wins and 1 draw in the Northern Rail Cup, including a record breaking 100-4 win over Gateshead Thunder
. Batley had a good run of wins in the Challenge Cup
however they were defeated 74-12 by Catalans Dragons
in the Quarter Final. Batley's Co-operative Championship season commenced well with wins over Keighley Cougars
22-12, Dewsbury Rams
22-8, Whitehaven
54-6 and Widnes Vikings
35-16 to see the club finish in 7th position. Having finished top of their Northern Rail group section, the club entered the knock-out stages. A strong performance away at Leigh Centurions in the semi-final, where Batley were clear underdogs, put them into the final on 18th July 2010, where they beat Widnes Vikings with two late tries scored by Alex Brown. It was Batley's first silverware since 1998.
In 2003 Barry Eaton broke the world record for consecutive goals kicks. Although Eaton
left the club last year to join Keighley
, his record of 38 looks as if it may stand for some time to come.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
club from Batley
Batley
Batley is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. It lies southeast of Bradford, southwest of Leeds and north of Dewsbury, near the M62 motorway. It has a population of 49,448 . Other nearby towns include Morley to the northeast, Ossett to the southeast...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
. They currently play in the Co-operative Championship. Batley is one of the original twenty-two rugby football clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
in 1895. They were Champions for the first, and only time to date, in 1924 and are 3 times Challenge Cup winners.
Early years
Batley Cricket Club decided to have a rugby football side merge with them at their ground under the name Batley Cricket Athletic and Football Club. The two local rugby teams, Batley Mountaineers and Batley Athletic, played a a challenge match at the cricket club's Mount PleasantMount Pleasant, Batley
Mount Pleasant is a rugby league stadium in Batley, West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Batley RLFC.Renowned for its famous slope, Mount Pleasant is situated at the top of the hill that overlooks the town of Batley. The end of the ground at the top of the hill is surrounded by three...
home on 23rd October 1880 to determine which was the town's premier rugby side and worthy of the cricket club. Both sides claimed victory but the cricket club chose Batley Athletic to join them.
The new club's first game was at home against Bradford Zingari which they won by 2 goals, 3 touchdowns, 2 dead balls and one touch goal to nil. The first season finished with Batley having won
15 games and drawn 5 out of 26 matches played.
They won the Yorkshire Challenge Cup
Yorkshire Cup (rugby union)
The Yorkshire Cup is an English Rugby Football Union competition founded in 1878. It is open to all eligible clubs in the Yorkshire area. It was initially known as the Yorkshire Challenge Cup.-History:...
in 1884 – 5 season beating Heckmondwike, Pudsey, Halifax, Salterhebble and Bradford before beating Manningham 8 minor points to 2 in the final held at Cardigan Fields in Leeds.
Batley was one of the original twenty-two clubs that met at the George Hotel, Huddersfield
George Hotel, Huddersfield
The George Hotel, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England, situated in the centre of the city, is a Grade II listed building famous as the birthplace of rugby league football....
on 29 August 1895 and formed the Northern Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
. Batley’s first match under the new union was on 7th September 1895 against Hull at Mount Pleasant with Batley winning 7 – 3.
Sixth in the Yorkshire Senior Competition of 1896/97, they battled their way to third spot come the end of the next season. Where knock-out competitions was concerned, they were peerless. In 1897, the 'Gallant Youths' became the first winners of the Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
beating St. Helens 10-3, in front of a crowd of 13,492 at Headingley
Headingley Stadium
Headingley Stadium is a sporting complex in the Leeds suburb of Headingley in West Yorkshire, England. It is the home of Yorkshire County Cricket Club, rugby league team Leeds Rhinos and rugby union team Leeds Carnegie ....
. Batley retained the trophy by beating Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
on the corresponding weekend the following year at Headingley in front of 27,941 spectators, which was then a record gate for a rugby match.
The club were Yorkshire League winners in 1898/99 and in 1900/01 won the Challenge Cup for the third and last time to date; once again Headingley was the venue as Batley defeated Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
6 – 0.
Wharton 'Wattie' Davies set club records for most appearance, goals and points between 1907-1912. Batley's next cup triumph came on 23rd November 1912 when Hull were defeated 17 – 3 at Headingley in Batley’s one and only Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
win.
The 'Gallant Youths' reached the semi-final of the Yorkshire Cup and led the league in November 1923. Batley were crowned champions on Saturday 3rd May 1924, lifting the Rugby League Championship Trophy for the only time in the club’s history, after defeating Wigan 13 – 7 in the final. The club were also Yorkshire League winners that season.
The record attendance was set at 23,989 for the visit of Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
for a third round Challenge Cup match on 14 March, 1925.
Post World War Two
1952 saw a Yorkshire Cup final appearance against Huddersfield on 15th November. 'Fartown' running out 18 – 8 winners.The club's name was changed from Batley Cricket, Athletic & Football Club Ltd to its present official name of Batley Football Club Ltd in June 1979.
The club celebrated its centenary in 1981 with a win over the league's new London team, Fulham.
In the 1960s the league was restructured into two divisions for two seasons before the single-division format was finally ditched in 1973 (there was also a three-season experiment with two divisions at the beginning of the twentieth century). Batley are one of only a few teams never to make it into the top flight, although they came very close in 1993/94. The last match of the season against Doncaster came down to being a play-off for a spot in the first division, but Batley lost 10-5 in front of a capacity crowd of 4,500 at Mount Pleasant, and their chance disappeared.
The local council suggests that Dewsbury and Batley ground share at Crown Flatt after refusing a grant towards safety repairs to Mount Pleasant in February 1987.
Batley looked set to join the elite in 1995 when they held off Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
to finish in second place, just two points behind champions Keighley
Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington...
. The club succeeded in winning the Second Division Championship in the 1994–95 season. However, when the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
was created for the following year, Batley along with Keighley were excluded. The club estimated that the decision cost them around £500,000.
Summer rugby era
Batley added 'Bulldogs' to their name for the 1995/96 season. The newly named Batley Bulldogs finished 1996 at the foot of Division One. Batley won the Trans-Pennine TrophyNational League Cup
The Championship Cup, known as the Northern Rail Cup due to sponsorship by Northern Rail, is a rugby league football competition for clubs in the United Kingdom's Championship and Championship 1 leagues, formerly known as the Rugby League National Leagues...
in 1998 beating Oldham in the final held at Mount Pleasant. Bulldogs were also promoted from the Second Division that same season.
In 2003, Barry Eaton
Barry Eaton
Barry Eaton is a former Welsh international rugby league player who is currently assistant coach at Crusaders. He was a .Barry Eaton played in all but three of Widnes Vikings' 28 matches in their first season in Super League...
broke the world record for consecutive goals kicks.
The club underwent a major shake up in the coaching staff with the resignation of head coach David Ward
David Ward (Rugby League)
David J. Ward is an English former rugby league footballer and coach. A hooker, he played for and managed Leeds RLFC. Possibly the greatest moment of his playing career was his performance during the 1978 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium against St Helens, where he gave a commanding...
due to pressure from some supporters in the form of derisory comments in the local press. The new coaching first team set up involved Gary Thornton
Gary Thornton
Gary Thornton is a rugby league coach who from the end of the 2009 season will be coaching the under 20's team at Castleford Tigers.Gary was a head coach at Batley Bulldogs and a former youth coach at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.-External links:******...
as Head Coach and Paul Harrison.
After a tough season in 2005 Batley were into National League One relegation play-offs, facing bitter rivals and neighbours Dewsbury
Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the...
. Victory in the final saw Batley stay up against increasingly well funded sides with Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
ambitions.
2006 saw Batley start the campaign with little promise after a series of dismal performances in the Northern Rail Cup and the early rounds of National League One. However, coach Gary Thornton turned the side round and Batley made their way into the end of season play-offs. Jay Duffy's late drop goal sealed a 23-22 victory at Leigh
Leigh Centurions
Leigh Centurions is an English professional rugby league club based in Leigh, Greater Manchester who play in the Co-operative Championship.The club was founded in 1878 as Leigh Rugby Football Club and is one of the original twenty-two clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in...
to end the Lancastrians' own hopes of promotion and ultimately earn Thornton the honour of National League coach of the year. Batley failed to replicate this success in the next round, crashing to a 30-0 defeat at Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
to put an abrupt end to their season.
After the previous season's mid-table finish 2009 started as a bad season for Batley. Gary Thornton
Gary Thornton
Gary Thornton is a rugby league coach who from the end of the 2009 season will be coaching the under 20's team at Castleford Tigers.Gary was a head coach at Batley Bulldogs and a former youth coach at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.-External links:******...
was sacked after a 60-22 loss on Easter Monday against Toulouse Olympique
Toulouse Olympique
Toulouse Olympique are a French professional rugby league team from Toulouse, in the southwest of France. They were founded on 22 October, in 1937 two years after the founding of the French Rugby League Federation. Between 1995 and 2002 the club were known as Spacers de Toulouse, due to links with...
30-24, in which Batley were 14-0 down at one stage. He was replaced by Karl Harrison
Karl Harrison
Karl Harrison, is an English former rugby league player and coach. He was a player for Hull and Halifax, and also represented Great Britain at prop forward. He won the last of his 14 International caps in 1994. He was the head coach of Salford City Reds rugby league team for five years, before...
.
2010 has started for Batley with 5 wins and 1 draw in the Northern Rail Cup, including a record breaking 100-4 win over Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder is a professional rugby league club based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in England. They currently play in the Championship 1 competition, the third tier of rugby league in the United Kingdom...
. Batley had a good run of wins in the Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
however they were defeated 74-12 by Catalans Dragons
Catalans Dragons
The Catalans Dragons are a French professional rugby league club based in Perpignan, Pyrénées-Orientales. They currently play in the Super League, and are the only team in the competition from outside of the United Kingdom...
in the Quarter Final. Batley's Co-operative Championship season commenced well with wins over Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington...
22-12, Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the...
22-8, Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
54-6 and Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings
Widnes Vikings RLFC are an English professional rugby league club based in Widnes, Cheshire. They currently play in the Engage Super League, the top tier of European rugby league, after being awarded a license to compete in the top-flight Super League from 2012 onward...
35-16 to see the club finish in 7th position. Having finished top of their Northern Rail group section, the club entered the knock-out stages. A strong performance away at Leigh Centurions in the semi-final, where Batley were clear underdogs, put them into the final on 18th July 2010, where they beat Widnes Vikings with two late tries scored by Alex Brown. It was Batley's first silverware since 1998.
Current table
Honours
- Championship 1923/24
- Challenge CupChallenge CupThe Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
: 1896-971896-97 Northern Rugby Football Union seasonThe 1896–97 Northern Rugby Football Union season was the second ever season of rugby league football. Following the success of the Northern Union's first season, several more clubs from the established Rugby Football Union joined the rebel competition...
, 1897/98, 1900/1901 (3 times) - Yorkshire CupRugby league county cupsHistorically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
: 1884/851, 1912/1913 - Yorkshire LeagueRugby league county leaguesThe Yorkshire League and the Lancashire League formed two sections of the Rugby Football League Championship for much of its history. Initially, the 22 clubs that broke away in 1895 played in one combined league, however the following season saw the addition of many clubs, and the League was split...
: 1898/99, 1923/24 (2 times) - Trans-Pennine CupTrans-Pennine CupThe Trans-Pennine Cup was a short-lived competition for professional British rugby league clubs outside Super League. It was played for during the period in which all non-Super League professional clubs were grouped into a single competition, the Northern Ford Premiership: 1998-2001.The competition...
: 1998 - Northern Rail Cup: 2010
In 2003 Barry Eaton broke the world record for consecutive goals kicks. Although Eaton
left the club last year to join Keighley
Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington...
, his record of 38 looks as if it may stand for some time to come.
Players earning international caps while at Batley
- Peter Armstead won caps for England whilst at Batley in 1953 France
- Harry BedfordHarry Bedford (rugby)Harry Bedford was a rugby union footballer of the 1880s and '90s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Batley, playing in the Forwards, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row...
won caps for England (RU) while at Batley in 1889 against New Zealand Natives, and in 1890 against Scotland, and Ireland - Joseph "Joe" BerryJoseph Berry (rugby league)Joseph "Joe" Berry is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Scotland, and at club level for Dudley Hill, Huddersfield Giants, Doncaster, Rochdale Hornets, and Batley Bulldogs, playing at , or , i.e...
won caps for Scotland while at Huddersfield Giants, Doncaster, Rochdale Hornets, and Batley Bulldogs 1998…2003 4-caps + 3-caps (sub) - George BrownGeorge Brown (rugby league)George Brown is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s, who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Batley.-International honours:...
won a cap for England while at Batley in 1945 against Wales - George DavidgeGeorge DavidgeGeorge Davidge is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s, who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Batley.-International honours:...
won a cap for England while at Batley in 1924 against Other Nations - William "Will" T. Davies won caps for Wales (RL) while at Batley and Halifax 1909…1912 4-caps, and won a cap for Great Britain (RL) while at Halifax in 1911 against Australia
- Norman FieldNorman FieldNorman Field is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Batley, playing at , i.e. number 2 or 5...
won a cap for Great Britain' while at Batley in 1963 against Australia - Isaac "Ike" John FowlerIke FowlerIsaac "Ike" John Fowler was a Welsh dual-code international rugby scrum-half who played rugby union for Llanelli and rugby league with Batley RLFC...
won a cap for Wales whilst at Batley, and won a cap for Other Nations whilst at Batley* Nathan GrahamNathan GrahamNathan Graham is a former rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who at representative level has played for Scotland, and at club level for Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Rams, Featherstone Rovers, and Batley Bulldogs.-International honours:...
won caps for Scotland while at Bradford Bulls, Dewsbury Rams, Featherstone Rovers, and Batley Bulldogs 1998…2004 7-caps + 3-caps (sub) - Frederick HillFrederick HillFrederick "Fred" Hill was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s, who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Batley, playing at /, i.e. number 13, during the era of contested scrums.-International honours:...
won a cap for England while at Batley in 1909 against Wales - Bill Hudson won caps for England while at Batley in 1946 against Wales, and France, in 1947 against France, while at Wigan in 1949 against France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Wigan in 1949 against Australia
- Frederick LowrieFrederick LowrieFrederick "Fred" William Lowrie was a rugby union footballer of the 1880s and '90s who at representative level played for England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Batley and/or Wakefield Trinity, playing in the Forwards, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row...
won caps for England (RU) while at Batley in 1889 against New Zealand Natives, and in 1890 against Wales - David LuckwellDavid LuckwellDavid Luckwell is a former rugby league footballer, playing at .Luckwell was a Wales international and played at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.-External links:*...
won caps for Wales while at Hull Kingston Rovers, and Batley Bulldogs 1999…2000 3-caps (sub) - Iain MarshIain MarshIain Marsh is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Scotland, and at club level for Salford City Reds, St. Helens, Barrow Raiders, Oldham Roughyeds, Batley Bulldogs, Rochdale Hornets, and Workington Town, playing at , or , i.e...
won caps for Scotland while at Oldham Roughyeds, Batley Bulldogs, and Rochdale Hornets 2004…2007 5-caps + 3-caps (sub) - Martin McLoughlinMartin McLoughlinMartin Paul McLoughlin is a professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Ireland, and at club level for Wigan Warriors, Barrow Raiders, Oldham Roughyeds...
won caps for Ireland while at Wigan Warrriors, Oldham Roughyeds, and Batley Bulldogs and 2001…2008 - Joseph "Joe" OliverJoseph Oliver (rugby league)Joseph "Joe" Oliver is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Batley, and Hull, playing at , i.e...
, won caps for England while at Batley in 1928 against Wales, while at Hull in 1933 against Australia, in 1936 against Wales, and France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Batley in against 1928 Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand - George PalmerGeorge Palmer (rugby league)George Palmer is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s, who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Batley.-International honours:...
won a cap for England while at Batley in 1951 against Other Nations - Lee PatersonLee PatersonLee Paterson is an English born Scottish professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Scotland, and at club level for Keighley Cougars, York City Knights, Batley Bulldogs, Carpentras XIII, Widnes Vikings, and Featherstone Rovers, playing at , , or .-International...
won caps for Scotland while at Batley Bulldogs, and Widnes Vikings 2007…present 3-caps - Harry ReesHarry ReesHarry Rees is a Welsh former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Batley.-International honours:Harry Rees won caps for Wales while at Batley in 1923, and in 1925.-Note:...
- Brinley WilliamsBrinley WilliamsBrinley "Bryn" Williams was a Welsh dual-code international rugby wing who played rugby union for Llanelli and rugby league with Batley...
won caps for Wales while at Batley in 1921 against England and Australia, and won a cap for Other Nations while at Batley in 1921 against England - Frederick WillisFrederick Willis (rugby league)Frederick "Fred" Willis is a Welsh former professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Batley.-International honours:Fred Willis won a cap for Wales while at Batley in 1921....
won a cap for Wales while at Batley in 1921
Other notable players
Andrew Ballot (#13) circa-1990s- Mark BarlowMark BarlowMark Barlow is a rugby league player for the York City Knights in the Co-operative Championship. He plays as a stand-off. He has previously played for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the European Super League and Batley Bulldogs.-External links:***...
- John Bell circa-1973
- David Brooke circa-1973
- Alex BrownAlex Brown (rugby league)Alexander Brown is a professional rugby league player who is currently contracted to Huddersfield Giants in the Super League. He is chiefly a winger and made his first-grade début in Super League XIV in 2009 against St Helens RLFC in a 12-10 loss. He started this game on the left wing...
- Donald "Don" Burnell Yorkshire XIII 1947/48
- Graham Chalkley circa-1973
- Richard ColleyRichard ColleyRichard Colley is a rugby league player for the Batley Bulldogs in National League One. He plays as a scrum-half or hooker. He has previously played for the Bradford Bulls in the European Super League, Stanley Rangers ARLFC, and Barrow Raiders.-External links:...
- Kevin CrouthersKevin CrouthersKevin Crouthers is a former professional rugby league footballer who at club level has played for Bradford Bulls, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Sheffield Eagles, London Broncos, Warrington Wolves, Chorley Lynx, Dewsbury Rams, and Batley Bulldogs, playing at , or /, i.e...
- Wharton "Wattie" DaviesWharton DaviesWharton "Wattie" Peers Davies was a Welsh rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1890s, 1900s and '10s who at representative level played rugby union for Cardiff and District XV, and at club level for Cardiff Northern RFC, and Cardiff RFC, playing at Fullback, i.e...
1896…1912 - Robin Dewhurst circa-1973
- Phil Doyle Yorkshire XIII 1969/70 George DouglasGeorge Douglas (rugby)George Douglas was a Scottish rugby union and rugby league player.-Rugby union:He was capped once for in 1921. He also played for Jedforest RFC.-References:...
, for ScotlandScotland national rugby union teamThe Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
(RU)Rugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
while at Jed-Forest RFCJed-Forest RFCJed-Forest Rugby Football Club are a rugby union team who are based at Riverside Park in Jedburgh.One of the world's oldest and most famous clubs, the team was founded in 1885 and currently play in Premiership Division Two and the Border League .-Honours:Kings of the Sevens - 2006Jed-Forest Sevens...
(RU)Rugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
1921 1-cap (signed for Batley 1921-22) - Barry EatonBarry EatonBarry Eaton is a former Welsh international rugby league player who is currently assistant coach at Crusaders. He was a .Barry Eaton played in all but three of Widnes Vikings' 28 matches in their first season in Super League...
- John EttyJohn EttyJohn W. Etty is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s, '50s and '60s who at representative level has played for British Empire XIII, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Batley, Oldham, and Wakefield Trinity, playing at , or , i.e...
, for British Empire XIIIBritish Empire XIII rugby league teamThe British Empire XIII rugby league team was a rugby league football team in Europe that represented the Empire of Britain at the time.-External sources:* Programme from game versus New Zealand 1952* British Pathe news footage...
while at Batley 1951 Wales XIII
- Bolu FagborunBolu FagborunBolu Fagborun is a rugby league player for the Sheffield Eagles in National League One. He plays on the wing. He has previously played for the Huddersfield Giants in the European Super League, along with a spell at Batley Bulldogs, and Rochdale Hornets....
- Craig FarrellCraig Farrell (rugby league)Craig Farrell born 8 October 1981 in Widnes, Cheshire, England is a rugby league player for the Batley Bulldogs in National League One. He plays as a or in the...
- Dai FitzgeraldDai FitzgeraldDavid "Dai" Fitzgerald was a Welsh rugby centre who played club rugby under the union code for Cardiff and later switched to professional rugby league team Batley...
- John Fox (Testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1979) - Peter Fox
- John Gallagher
- Carl GibsonCarl GibsonCarl Gibson is an English former rugby league footballer, who represented Yorkshire in 1985/86 and Great Britain.Originally representing Batley, Gibson moved to Leeds for a fee of £50,000...
- Jeff GrayshonJeff GrayshonJeffrey "Jeff" Grayshon MBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Dewsbury, Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, Bradford, Leeds, Featherstone Rovers, and Batley,...
- Jonathan "Jon" GrayshonJon GrayshonJon Grayshon is an English rugby league player. Grayshon plays for Featherstone Rovers where he was signed from Harlequins RL in the European Super League. Grayshon has formerly played for Huddersfield Giants, and Batley Bulldogs. In 2009 he spent most of the year on loan at the Widnes Vikings.Jon...
- Benjamin GronowBenjamin GronowBenjamin "Ben" Gronow was a Welsh dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1910s and '20s. At club level Gronow played under the union code for Bridgend RFC, county rugby for Glamorgan and international rugby for Wales union team...
- J. T. Halsam 1888 British Isles tourist1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and AustraliaThe 1888 British Isles tour to New Zealand and Australia was a series of rugby union games played by an unofficial British team against invitational teams in New Zealand and Australia...
(RU) - Samuel "Sam" Hargreaves Yorkshire XIII 1946/47
- Tom HemingwayTom HemingwayTom Hemingway is an English professional rugby league player with Blackpool Panthers.He started out with Super League side Huddersfield Giants before going on loan to the Batley Bulldogs....
- Ernest "Ernie" Hepworth (Testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1978) - David HeronDavid HeronDavid "Dave" Heron is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s, '80s and '90s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Leeds, Bradford Northern, and Batley, playing at , i.e...
- Paul HicksPaul HicksPaul Hicks is a professional rugby league footballer who at club level has played for Wakefield Trinity, Batley Bulldogs, and Dewsbury Rams, playing at , i.e. number 8 or 10.-External links:****...
- Philip "Phil" Holmes circa-1973
- John Jones circa-1980
- Arthur KeeganArthur KeeganArthur 'Ollie' Keegan was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s, '60s and '70s, and coach of the 1970s who, whilst serving in the Duke of Wellington's Regiment, at representative level played for Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hull, Bramley, and...
- Robert KellyRobert Kelly (rugby league)Robert "Bob" Kelly is an Irish former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Other Nations, and at club level for Keighley, Wakefield Trinity, and Batley, playing at , or , i.e...
- Kevin KingKevin King (rugby league)Kevin King born 18 January 1985 is a rugby league player for the Batley Bulldogs in National League One. He plays as a centre. He has previously played for the Castleford Tigers and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the European Super League.-External links:***...
- Dean LawfordDean LawfordDean Lawford is a rugby league half back for Dewsbury Rams. He has played for Sheffield Eagles, Leeds Rhinos, Bramley Buffaloes, Huddersfield Giants, Halifax, Widnes Vikings, Dewsbury Celtic, and Batley Bulldogs....
- Stephen "Steve" Lingard circa-1973
- Davide LongoDavide LongoDavide Longo is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who at club level has played for Bradford Bulls, Swinton Lions, Keighley Cougars, Batley Bulldogs, and Dewsbury Rams, playing at /, i.e. number 6.-External links:******...
- Francis MaloneyFrancis Maloney (rugby league)Francis Maloney is an English rugby league player for the Batley Bulldogs in National League One. He plays as a stand-off and can operate as a centre...
- Colin MaskillColin MaskillColin Maskill is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at club level has played for Wakefield Trinity, Leeds, Doncaster, and Castleford, playing at , i.e. number 9.-External links:***...
circa-1973 - Edward MellingEdward MellingEdward "Teddy" Melling was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s who at club level played for Batley, Bradford Northern, and Broughton Rangers, playing at , i.e. number 7....
circa-1920 - Luke MenziesLuke MenziesLuke Menzies born is an English rugby league player who currently plays for the Hull KR in the Super League competition, and has previously played for Salford City Reds, Bradford Bulls, and Batley Bulldogs. His usual position is Prop or Second Row.He Signed for Hull KR in September 2007.-References:...
- James "Jim" Naylor Yorkshire XIII 1972/73
- Gareth MooreGareth MooreGareth Moore is a Scottish rugby league player for Wakefield Trinity Wildcats in the Engage Super League. He plays as a scrum-half. He is a current Scotland international.-External links:*...
- Trevor Oldroyd circa-1973
- Lee PatersonLee PatersonLee Paterson is an English born Scottish professional rugby league footballer who at representative level has played for Scotland, and at club level for Keighley Cougars, York City Knights, Batley Bulldogs, Carpentras XIII, Widnes Vikings, and Featherstone Rovers, playing at , , or .-International...
- Roy PowellRoy Powell (rugby league)Roy Colin Powell was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and at club level for Leeds, Bradford, Featherstone Rovers, Batley, and Rochdale Hornets, playing at , or , i.e. number 8 or 10, or 11 or 12...
- Richard Price circa-1998
- Sean RichardsonSean RichardsonSean Richardson is a professional rugby league footballer who at club has level played for Blackbrook, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Widnes Vikings, Leigh Centurions, and Batley Bulldogs playing at , or /, i.e...
- William "Bill" Riches (Testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1952) Yorkshire 1946…52 (England v France 1946/47, Reserve to travel)
- Gus RismanGus RismanAugustus "Gus" John F. Risman was a Welsh rugby league footballer of the 1920s through to the 1950s.A devastating three-quarter who also played at , and /, Risman was born in Cardiff, brought up in Barry where he went to Barry County School, and played rugby union in South Wales as a schoolboy...
- Shad RoystonShad RoystonShad Royston is a rugby league player who is currently contracted to Bradford Bulls. On 11 August 2011 it was confirmed that he will be moving to Pia Donkeys in 2012Before joining Halifax in 2006, Royston played at Doncaster Lakers and Batley Bulldogs...
- Mark Scott (Testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1994) - David "Dave" Secker circa-1973
- Roger SimpsonRoger SimpsonRoger Simpson is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s who at representative level has played for England, and at club level for Bradford Northern, and Batley Bulldogs, playing at , i.e...
- Byron SmithByron SmithByron Smith is a rugby league player for the Batley Bulldogs in National League One. He plays as a prop and can operate in the second-row. He has previously played for the Castleford Tigers in the European Super League...
- Andrew "Andy" SpeakAndy SpeakAndy Speak is a professional rugby league footballer who at club level has played for Stanley Rangers, Leeds Rhinos, Sheffield Eagles, Halifax, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, Castleford Tigers, Dewsbury Rams, Doncaster, and Batley Bulldogs, playing at , i.e. number 9.-External links:***...
- Timothy "Tim" SpearsTim SpearsTim Spears is a rugby league player for the Featherstone Rovers in National League One. He has previously played for the Castleford Tigers in the European Super League, Dewsbury Rams and Batley Bulldogs.-External links:**...
- John StainburnJohn StainburnJohn Stainburn is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s, and coach of the 1990s who at club level has played for , Batley, and Batley Victoria ARLFC, playing at , i.e...
(Testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1993) - George Standedge circa-1973
- Paul Storey (Testimonial matchTestimonial matchA testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
1988) - James "Jim" Sullivan
- Gary ThorntonGary ThorntonGary Thornton is a rugby league coach who from the end of the 2009 season will be coaching the under 20's team at Castleford Tigers.Gary was a head coach at Batley Bulldogs and a former youth coach at Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.-External links:******...
- Glen TomlinsonGlen TomlinsonGlen Tomlinson is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s who at club level has played for Caboolture, Batley Bulldogs , Bradford Bulls, Hull, and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, playing at , i.e...
- Alan Watts circa-1973
- John Westbury (#13) circa-1950s
- Clifford "Cliff" WilliamsClifford Williams (rugby league)Clifford "Cliff" Williams is a former professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s who at representative level has played for Wales, and at club level for Hunslet, and Batley, playing at /, i.e. number 7.-International honours:...
circa-1973