Billy Banks (rugby)

Billy Banks
Personal information
Full name William Martin Banks[1]
Born 11 January 1925[1]
Maesteg, Wales
Died August 1991 (aged 66)[1]
Huddersfield, England
Playing information
Rugby union
Position Scrum-half
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Maesteg RFC
Rugby league
Position Stand-off/Five-eighth, Scrum-half/Halfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1946–47 Leeds 13 3 9
Dec 1946–47/48 Wakefield Trinity 44 12 3 0 42
1948–56 Huddersfield 281 41 4 131
Whitehaven
Salford
Total 338 56 7 0 182
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1954 Combined Nationalities 1 1 3
1949 British Empire 1
1955 Other Nationalities 2
1949–53 Wales 17 1 1 0 5
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org englandrl.co.uk

William Martin "Billy" Banks (11 January 1925[2] – August 1991) birth registered in Bridgend, was a Welsh rugby union and professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1940s and '50s, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Maesteg RFC, as a Scrum-half, i.e. number 9, and playing representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain, Wales, Other Nationalities, British Empire, and Combined Nationalities, and at club level for Leeds, Wakefield Trinity (Heritage #558), Huddersfield, Whitehaven, and Salford, as a Stand-off/Five-eighth, or Scrum-half/Halfback, i.e. number 6, or 7.[3]

Career

Club career

Banks made his début for Leeds against Keighley at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 23 February 1946.[4] He moved to Wakefield Trinity a year later for £500, and in August 1948, he was transferred to Huddersfield for £1,850.[5] Banks played 281 games for Huddersfield between 1948 and 1956. He went on to play for Whitehaven and Salford before retiring in 1960.[1]

Championship final appearances

Billy Banks played Scrum-half/Halfback in Huddersfield's 2–20 defeat by Wigan in the Rugby Football League Championship final during the 1949–50 at Maine Road, Manchester on Saturday 13 May 1950.[6]

Challenge Cup final appearances

Billy Banks played Scrum-half/Halfback and scored a try in Huddersfield's 15–10 victory over St. Helens in the 1953 Challenge Cup final during the 1952–53 season at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 April 1953.[5]

County Cup final appearances

Billy Banks played Scrum-half/Halfback in Huddersfield's 4–11 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1949 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1949–50 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1949, and played Scrum-half/Halfback in the 18–8 victory over Batley in the 1952 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1952–53 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 15 November 1952.

International honours

Billy Banks represented Combined Nationalities and scored a try in the 15–19 defeat by France at Stade de Gerland, Lyon on Sunday 3 January 1954, won 17 caps for Wales (RL) in 1949–1953 while at Huddersfield and represented Great Britain (RL) while at Huddersfield in 1953 against France and in 1954 against France (2 non-Test matches).[7]

Billy Banks was selected for Great Britain Squad while at Huddersfield for the 1954 Rugby League World Cup in France. However, Billy Banks did not participate in any of the four matches, with Gerry Helme playing as Scrum-half/Halfback in all four matches.

Along with Edward "Ted" Cahill, Gordon Haynes, Keith Holliday, William "Billy" Ivison, Robert "Bob" Kelly, John McKeown, George Parsons, and Edward "Ted" Slevin, Billy Banks' only Great Britain appearances came against France prior to 1957, these matches were not considered as Test matches by the Rugby Football League, and consequently caps were not awarded.[7]

Personal life

Billy was married to Sadie A. Williams daughter of Annie (née Davies) and Gomer Williams of MacGregor Row, Maesteg.[8] Gomer was a coal miner and then groundsman at Maesteg RFC for many years. Billy became a taxi driver in Huddersfield. He returned regularly to Maesteg to visit family and friends.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Gronow, David (2008). 100 Greats: Huddersfield Rugby League Football Club. Stroud: Stadia. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-7524-4584-7.
  2. ↑ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  3. ↑ Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
  4. ↑ Dalby, Ken (1955). The Headingley Story – 1890–1955 – Volume One – Rugby. The Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Co. Ltd ASIN: B0018JNGVM
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 McCorquodale, London S.E (25 April 1953). The Rugby League Challenge Cup Competition – Final Tie – Huddersfield v St. Helens – Match Programme. Wembley Stadium Ltd.
  6. ↑ "1949–1950 Championship Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Edgar, Harry (2007). Rugby League Journal Annual 2008 [Page-110]. Rugby League Journal Publishing. ISBN 0-9548355-3-0
  8. ↑ "Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.

External links