Grayshon
then had a spell at Leeds (with Peter Fox again) where he became the oldest
ever GB international at 36, winning the last of his 13 caps. When he broke his
leg in October 1987, it appeared that retirement beckoned. But by the following
September he had made his Featherstone debut. Showing remarkable durability and
commitment, Grayshon played 34 of 35 games that year alongside Karl Harrison
and Trevor Clark in Rovers’ front-row. His vast experience and ability to
inspire others allowed him to slot naturally into the role of pack leader. The
following year he played all 36 games with Glenn Bell and Alan Dakin as his
regular front-row companions. The following year he managed 30 games from 33 alongside
new boy Leo Casey. Three terrific seasons where he had clocked up 100
appearances. His understandable lack of the full 80 minute match fitness was
compensated by his general nous about how the game works, offering ball
handling options to Deryck Fox’s distribution, regularly off-loading and
putting his team-mates into gaps. In April 1990, he enjoyed a historical game when
Rovers faced Bradford and Jeff lined up against his own son Paul.
In
the summer of 1991 now aged 41 Grayshon was allowed to leave, a move which apparently
annoyed Peter Fox enough for him to quit the club later that year. Grayshon’s remarkable
career continued at Batley until 1995 when he was 45 years old. His astonishing
total of 776 professional games has been bettered by only three players in the
history of rugby league. He became the second former Rovers player after Laurie
Gant to be awarded the MBE.
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