Billy Watson (rugby league)

William Watson (birth unknown – death unknown) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s, and coached in the 1940s. He played at representative level for England, Rugby League XIII and Yorkshire, and at club level for Keighley and Huddersfield, as a prop, hooker, or loose forward, i.e. number 8 or 10, 9, or, 13, during the era of contested scrums, and coached at club level for Keighley (A-Team assisted by Norman Foster).[1][3]

For other people with the same name, see William Watson.

William Watson
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Watson
BornKeighley, England
Diedunknown
Playing information
PositionHooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1925–Dec 34 Keighley
Dec 1934–≥39 Huddersfield ≥73
Total 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1925–40 Yorkshire 2
1934–34 Rugby League XIII 1 0 0 0 0
1934 England 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Background

Billy Watson was born in Keighley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

Billy Watson played hooker for the Yorkshire League versus Lancashire League at Craven Park, Barrow on 23 March 1940, in a strong front-row with Hudson Irving (Halifax) and Frank Whitcombe (Bradford Northern).

International honours

Billy Watson represented Rugby League XIII while at Keighley in 1934 against France, and won caps for England while at Keighley in 1934 against Australia, and France.[2]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Billy Watson played hooker in Huddersfield's 8-11 defeat by Castleford in the 1935 Challenge Cup Final during the 1934–35 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 4 May 1935, in front of a crowd of 39,000.[4]

Note

The 'englandrl.co.uk' website states that Billy Watson won caps for England while at Keighley in 1934 against Australia and France, however the 'rugbyleagueproject.org' website states that he also won caps for England in 1938 against Wales.

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Huddersfield v Keighley Match Programme Monday 24 April 1939" (PDF). rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  4. "Sat 4th May 1935 - Challenge Cup - Neutral Ground - 39,000". thecastlefordtigers ℅ web.archive.org. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
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