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Springfield ARLFC

20 Comments

Springfield ARLFC Guest Player!
Springfield ARLFC Guest Player!
Photo: Ian.
Views: 3,635
Item #: 30902
A player in this photo turned out for Springfield 1981/82. He was in his 40's then and had retired from the pro game as a pro player and pro coach. He played one game for us as far as I can remember. He decided to come out of retirement for a top of the table promotion clash to add a bit of "muscle" to our pack! And he did! He was our coach at the time and you didn't mess with him! Fantastic character, very tough, and very, very good company off the field! He was a great chap.

Anybody name him?

Comment by: Philip G. on 17th January 2019 at 13:39

I'll go for Cliff Watson.

Comment by: tom on 17th January 2019 at 15:39

this is saints v swinton krn halliwell prop on the right
hand side.

Comment by: broady on 17th January 2019 at 16:39

Is that Johnny Stopford making the tackle??

Comment by: Philip G. on 17th January 2019 at 17:45

The player on the extreme right looks like Derek Clarke - he once lived about 150yds from me, in Billinge.

Comment by: Handsomeminer on 17th January 2019 at 22:09

Ken halliwell

Comment by: AH on 17th January 2019 at 22:40

The three swinton players are Derek Clarke.ken halliwell, Harold bate cliff Watson is the st Helens player on his feet ken halliwell would be the guest player

Comment by: Keith on 18th January 2019 at 12:59

St Helens recruited Cliff Watson from the Midlands RU club Kingswinford. He certainly was a tough operator and enjoyed a distinguished International career as well as success at St Helens. The story I heard, but cannot verify, was that he would enjoy a steak and chips meal shortly before a match, anathema to most athletes but not Cliff. He went to live in Australia and played with distinction for Cronulla. He would come over with his wife for visits. Sadly he died last year at the age of 78, leaving a wife and three daughters.

Comment by: Ian on 19th January 2019 at 13:32

Well done to all concerned.
The man in question was Ken Halliwell.

Comment by: tuddy on 19th January 2019 at 22:03

Ian, wasn't John Mc Donald, the referee, involved with running Springfield A.R.L.F.C. at one time?

Comment by: Broady on 20th January 2019 at 14:04

I am sure Ken played for Heinz RU team at one time.

Comment by: Handsomeminer on 20th January 2019 at 20:44

Tuddy I think his brother was involved not sure about john

Comment by: Ian. on 20th January 2019 at 21:43

Yes John McDonald was involved. As were his brothers Wilf and Gerry. Three great stalwarts of the club.
Broady. When I was at Heinz Ken was a red band there. They used to have a rugby league team but I can't recall them having a rugby union side there. I started in 1982 and the rugby team had ceased to be then. They had a football team though.

Comment by: broady on 21st January 2019 at 01:47

Ian, It was probably the 70's. I was playing for Wigan Tech and I am 99% sure he played. As a matter of fact he got a gruesome looking ankle break if I remember correctly.

Comment by: Alan Wright on 21st January 2019 at 16:19

I remember playing against Ken Halliwell in the Ken Gee Cup in 1969. He was guesting for South Lancs Boring Club, while our team was Cardinal Newman Old Boys (even though I went to John Rigby!). I played centre alongside John Whittle, who signed for Wigan after the match. Our guest playing at loose forward was a certain Terry Dunne!

Comment by: tuddy on 21st January 2019 at 19:51

What's a red band?

Comment by: Ian. on 22nd January 2019 at 09:53

Red band / Red collar was a foreman. The collar on their overalls was red. Where as the people who worked on the shop floor had a plain white collar. Green collar was quality control. I think they used to havr blue collars but that was before I started.

Comment by: Nicola on 23rd January 2019 at 19:50

This is my grandad Ken Halliwell

Comment by: stephen Halliwell on 31st January 2019 at 05:39

Yes this was my Brother Ken, along with teammates Derek Clark and Harold Bate.

Comment by: stephen Halliwell on 31st January 2019 at 05:44

Hi Ian where did you get the photo from, from Kens brother Steve

Comment by: Ian. on 31st January 2019 at 09:55

Hello Stephen. You will be Ken junior's uncle? I remember young Ken from Heinz. Also I played in the same team as him. He could shift a bit! Very pacey.
It was In a magazine called rugby league journal. It only comes out four times a year. It focus's mainly on the pre super league era 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's etc. Its a great magazine if you like that era. You can subscribe on line and
it will be deliverd to anywhere in the world. You can also purchase back issues.

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