Arthur Street

Arthur Street

Arthur Street signed for Featherstone Rovers in 1940 from Glasshoughton, and became the first of three brothers from that village to play in the Rovers first team. Times were obviously hard at Post Office Road with a war on, but young Arthur soon made his mark. His debut came on 9th November 1940 in a 6-0 loss at Hull, taking the loose forward shirt from established star player Bill Sherwood. He had a reputation as a youngster to ‘lose control’ from time to time, but he developed into an intelligent player and key part of the team. In 1943 he finished top of the club’s try scoring list albeit with a modest total of eight tries. It was during that season that Arthur’s younger brother Billy Street broke into the Rovers first team. Billy went on a total of 18 games for Featherstone and scored three tries, without ever fully establishing himself in the first team. Arthur and Billy had a younger brother Harry who played for Rovers junior side at the same time as his brothers were in the senior team. For once though Rovers missed out when Harry Street was spotted by St. Helens and signed for them in 1947.

By the time the war ended, Arthur had made the number thirteen shirt his own, with rugged defence and creative handling. Soon after though, he was sold to Dewsbury, with money once again the reason for his departure. The £350 Rovers received would keep the club afloat for a few more weeks. So Street departed, having played 106 games for Featherstone Rovers and scored a very respectable 25 tries. However, it was to be far from his final contact with the club. He enjoyed great success at Crown Flatt where he appeared for Dewsbury against Wigan in the 1947 Championship final. Arthur then linked up with his younger brother, Harry who moved to Crown Flatt from St.Helens in 1949. Towards the end of his playing career Arthur moved onto Doncaster for what was their first ever season as a senior club in 1951/2. After a few games at Wakefield the following year he retired from playing.

Later Arthur Street came back to Featherstone to be Harold Moxon’s assistant coach. This period was the first real Golden Age of Featherstone rugby, and of course as A team chief Street played his part in the development of a very talented generation of star players. During Arthur’s first year in coaching, his brother Harry arrived at Post Office Road to finish his long and distinguished career. After six seasons coaching the A team, he then joined the Rovers committee in 1963 and served the club further for a number of years.