Frank Dyson

Frank Dyson (14 March 1931 – 31 October 1979), also known by the nickname of "Spanky", was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1960s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Huddersfield and Oldham, as a prolific left-footed goal-kicking fullback, i.e. number 1, and he coached at club level for Oldham.[2][3]

For the English astronomer and Astronomer Royal, see Frank Watson Dyson.
Frank Dyson
Personal information
Born(1931-03-14)14 March 1931[1]
Huddersfield, England
Died31 October 1979(1979-10-31) (aged 48)[1]
Playing information
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Weight13 st 4 lb (84 kg; 186 lb)
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1949–63 Huddersfield 367 52 958 2072
1963–65 Oldham 60 7 206 433
Total 427 59 1164 0 2505
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Yorkshire
1959 Great Britain 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [2]

Background

Dyson was born in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, following his retirement from rugby, he was the landlord of The Harp public house on Bradford Road in Fartown during the 1960s, and 1970s,[1] and he died aged 48.

Playing career

Dyson made his début for Huddersfield in 1949. His testimonial match for the club took place in 1959. Later that year, during the 1959–60 Kangaroo tour, he won his only cap for Great Britain in the 11-10 victory over Australia at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 21 November 1959, in front of a crowd of 30,301.[2]

Dyson won cap(s) for Yorkshire while at Huddersfield.

Dyson played fullback in Huddersfield's 6-12 defeat by Wakefield Trinity in the 1961–62 Challenge Cup Final during the 1961–62 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 12 May 1962, in front of a crowd of 81,263.[4] He also played at fullback in Huddersfield's 14-5 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the Championship Final during the 1961–62 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 19 May 1962.[5] With 2,072 points, he became Huddersfield's record point scorer.[6]

Dyson played fullback, and scored 3-conversions in Huddersfield's 15-8 victory over York in the 1957–58 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1957–58 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on 19 October 1957,[7] and played fullback, and scored 2 conversions in the 10-16 defeat by Wakefield Trinity in the 1960–61 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on 29 October 1960.

Dyson left Huddersfield in 1963 and joined Oldham, scoring 7-tries and 206 conversions in two seasons at the club.

References
  1. Sutcliffe, Robert (6 April 2013). "Time may be up for 'Spanky's' old pub The Harp in Fartown". Huddersfield Examiner. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  2. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. Hannan, Tony (April 1999). "Huddersfield's Hall of Fame". League Express. Retrieved 24 October 2011.
  4. Briggs, Cyril & Edwards, Barry (12 May 1962). The Rugby League Challenge Cup Competition - Final Tie - Huddersfield v Wakefield Trinity - Match Programme. Wembley Stadium Ltd. ISBN n/a
  5. Edgar, Harry (2008). Rugby League Journal Annual 2009 [Page-57]. Rugby League Journal Publishing. ISBN 978-0-9548355-4-5
  6. Roberts, Chris (30 April 2014). "Huddersfield Giants captain Danny Brough closes in on 1,000 points for the club". Huddersfield Examiner. Trinity Mirror North West. Retrieved 25 September 2014.
  7. "Programme 'Yorkshire County Rugby League - Challenge Cup Final - 1957 - Huddersfield v. York'" (PDF). huddersfieldrlheritage.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
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