Any history of our club would begin by
mentioning the name of Jimmy Williams on the first page, because in the first
minute of our first ever senior match, he was the man to notch Featherstone
Rovers’ first ever points. Signed in 1918 when Rovers were a junior club, Jimmy
Williams was a stylish stand-off, just coming into his prime as a players when
Rovers entered the league. He was a gifted footballer, who occasionally
appeared in other back positions, but wherever he played, it was his tactical
awareness and kicking ability that stood out. As well as that first minute
drop-goal, he went on to score 330 points (30 tries and 120 goals) in 211 senior
games between 1921 and 1929. After leaving Featherstone, he was involved with trying
to set up a rugby league club in the North-east. In 1934 he was appointed the
first coach of Newcastle RLFC, but unfortunately, they lasted only two seasons.
Jimmy Williams was also a keen local cricketer.
Billy Williams was Jimmy’s older
brother, and although he played some games for the Rovers after joining in 1912,
including two appearances in the second-row in Rovers’ inaugural season, it was
as team trainer that Billy made his mark. Responsible for getting the lads fit
and keeping them fit, Billy Williams was in many ways ahead of his time. In the
immediate post-war years when the concept of the modern team coach began to
evolve, Billy took the title of club physio, a position he officially held
until 1962 when he gave way to his son. In reality Billy never retired, and was
always there helping out with his son. There’s a lovely photo of Rovers players
from the Championship squad of 1977 with Billy. At his death in 1980, he was
still there, 68 years after first having joined the Rovers. Billy was also a
renowned boxer in his day.
Billy’s son Jimmy Williams took over
from his father as club physio in 1962, and set about emulating his record of
service to the club. It’s amazing to think just how many players would have
passed through he his hands over the years. With Jimmy looking after the
players, Rovers won every honour in the game, including five visits to Wembley.
He served in an official capacity until the 1993 season. What an unbelievable
record of service to the club between father and son.
My grandfather Arthur Lorriman played for the Featherstone Rovers in and around 1921. I have a trophy of his bearing all the names. Does anyone have any early history or records of him or this time?
ReplyDeleteHI Steve. Thanks for your message. We have a record of all Arthur Lorriman's games at Featherstone. Do you have an email address to write to you?
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