Fred Longstaff
Sincere thanks to David Gronow for permission to publish the following article and photographs.
Signed from Halifax December 1911
Debut: 23rd December V Halifax at home and won 24-3
Final official game: 1st May 1915 V St. Helens NU Cup Final. Won 37-3
Born: 1890 or 1891 in Bradford
Played for Victoria Rangers before joining Halifax
Toured Australia in 1914. Played in first test in Sydney
Joined West Yorks Regiment. First World War.
Killed in action July 22nd 1916. Aged 25
Challenge Cup Medals Winners 1913-1915
Yorkshire Cup Medals Winners 1913-1914
R.L. Championship Medals Winners 1912, 1913, 1915
R.L. Championship Runners Up 1914
Yorkshire League Championship Cup Winners Medals
1911/12, 1912/13, 1913/14, 1914/15
Fred played two seasons at Thrum Hall before arriving at Fartown. He was a burly forward with a peculiar run and he also knew the value of support play. He was a valuable member of the “Team of all Talents” which swept all before them in those golden seasons up to the outbreak of World War One.
Season |
Played |
Tries |
Goals |
Points |
1911-12 |
22 |
6 |
4 |
26 |
1912-13 |
38 |
4 |
8 |
28 |
1913-14 |
41 |
3 |
11 |
31 |
1914-15 |
34 |
2 |
2 |
10 |
|
135 |
15 |
25 |
95 |
War time football continued until 1917 but appearances cannot be included, along with results, in players careers. In fact one of Fred’s final games for Huddersfield was against Bradford Northern away on 20th November 1915. Harold Wagstaff invited Fred to be Captain and he kicked the goal that won the game.
One interesting incident concerning Fred was the day he was presented with a new suit. On Saturday 24th April 1915 Fartown beat Leeds in the League Championship final at Wakefield by 35 points to 2. The previous evening Fred and Harold Wagstaff were walking along New St in Huddersfield town centre when a local tailor approached them. He offered ‘Waggy ‘ the best suit in his shop if his team beat Leeds the next day. Fred told the tailor – “You fellows always think about the backs and never about the forwards, what do I get if we win ?” Thereupon the tailor said that if Fred scored a try then he could have one as well. During the game ‘Waggy’ was put through by Bert Ganley which left him with only the full back to beat. As he approached him he heard a voice on his shoulder shouting “suit” “suit” “suit” Wagstaff turned and popped the ball into Fred’s hands for him to touch down under the posts.
