So
short-handed for props were Featherstone Rovers in the late 70s that they had
to recruit Mick Morgan as stop-gap cover. What the club really needed was
another local youngster to come along and nail down a first team spot. There
was no shortage of candidates ready to step into the breach to replace Morgan,
with Kevin Anderson and Alan Bence most prominent among them. During 1977/78
Rovers had a handy young ball-handling prop training with the team when he was
on leave from the Royal Navy. Gary Siddall then took the decision to quit the
Navy, and dedicate himself to rugby. He made his debut in September 1978
against Widnes which was his only game that year as he had to finish his duties
in the forces. His front-row adversary that day was experienced international
Dougie Laughton. Some baptism! His
progress at the club was steady, as he managed just 15 games in his first three
years, but good props always mature more slowly. By 1981 Gary had established himself
as first choice prop alongside Mick Gibbins. Over the next five years, his
work-rate and his ability to slip the ball from a tackle were regular features
of Rovers’ team. The highlight of his career was undoubtedly our Wembley run in
1983. After being in the starting line up for both the quarter and semi-finals,
Gary had been struggling for fitness in the lead-up to the final with an ankle
injury. At Wembley Allan Agar played Steve Hankins at prop and Tim Slatter in
the second-row although there was still a place for the popular ‘Big Sid’, who
played his part off the bench after replacing Slatter in the second half. An
abiding memory of that game was at the final whistle as Gary leapt into the air
with delight as the celebrations began.
Just as he was coming into his prime
as a prop, Siddall suffered a terrible spine injury against Halifax in October
1985. Two bones in his back were broken by an opponent dropping his knees into
him as he lay on the ground, and he faced a long and slow recuperation process.
Rovers plugged the gap in their front row by signing Karl Harrison from
Bramley, and Gary had almost two years out of the game. Typical of the man, he
made his way back into the first team to help the club to promotion in 1987/88
under coach Peter Fox. The following season Gary was granted a benefit season
for ten years’ service, and despite losing his first team spot he continued to
loyally serve the A team as captain. After eleven seasons, 187 games and 25
tries for Featherstone, he went to Huddersfield to finish his career in 1989.
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