Leslie Chamberlain

For British journalist, travel writer and historian of Russian and German culture, see Lesley Chamberlain.
Leslie Chamberlain
Personal information
Full name Leslie Chamberlain
Nickname Les
Born 10 February 1934
Leeds North district, England
Died 2 March 2015 (aged 81)
Playing information
Position Prop, Second-row, Loose forward/Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1955–18 Sep 61 Wakefield Trinity 110 14 0 0 42
18 Sep 1961–63 Bramley
1963–Dec 1963 Hull Kingston Rovers 22 2 0 0 6
Dec 1963–67-68 Leeds 103+4
Total 239 16 0 0 48
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org

Leslie "Les" Chamberlain (10 February 1934[1] — 2 March 2015) was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s, playing at club level for Wakefield Trinity (Heritage #625), Bramley, Hull Kingston Rovers, and Leeds, as a Prop, Second-row, Loose forward/Lock, i.e. number 8 or 10, 11 or 12, or, 13, during the era of contested scrums.[2]

Playing career

Rugby Football League Championship appearances

Les Chamberlain played Right-Second-row, i.e. number 12 in Wakefield Trinity's 3-27 defeat by Wigan in the 1959–60 Rugby Football League Championship final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 21 May 1960.[3]

County Cup Final Appearances

Les Chamberlain played in Wakefield Trinity's victories in Yorkshire league during the 1958–59 season, and 1959–60 season.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Les Chamberlain played Left-Second-row, i.e. number 11 (replacing the injured Malcolm Sampson) in the 38-5 victory over Hull in the 1959–60 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 14 May 1960.[4]

County Cup Final Appearances

Les Chamberlain played Loose forward/Lock in Wakefield Trinity's 23-5 victory over Hunslet in the 1956 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1956–57 season at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 20 October 1956, played Right-Second-row, i.e. number 12, in the 20-14 defeat by Leeds in the 1958 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1958–59 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 18 October 1958, played Right-Prop, i.e. number 10, in the 16-10 victory over Huddersfield in the 1960 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1960–61 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1960,[4] and played Second-row, i.e. number 11 or 12, in Leeds 2-18 defeat by Wakefield Trinity in the 1964 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1964–64 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 31 October 1964.

Tour Match Appearances

Les Chamberlain played Loose forward/Lock, in Wakefield Trinity's 17-12 victory over Australia in the tour match at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Monday 10 December 1956.[4]

Club career

Les Chamberlain made his début for Wakefield Trinity playing Loose forward/Lock in the 20-8 victory over Dewsbury at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 24 December 1955, scored 2-tries against Huddersfield at Belle Vue, Wakefield during Easter 1956, and played for the 'A' Team when they won a League and Cup double during the 1955–56 season, he was being considered for Yorkshire when he suffered a broken leg against Workington Town Saturday 18 October 1958, he made his return a year later against Batley in October 1959, he played his final game for Wakefield Trinity in the 8-15 defeat by Leeds at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 29 April 1961, and made his début for Leeds against Widnes at Naughton Park, Widnes on Saturday 7 December 1963.[2]

Contemporaneous Article Extract

"Les Chamberlain, a product of Leeds and District Amateur R.L., made his senior début in December 1955. He played regularly at loose-forward and in the second row, appearing in Trinity's Yorkshire Cup final teams of 1956 and 1958. A broken leg halted his career in October, 1958 and he took no part in senior football during the following season. He came back into our pack in October, 1959, and played in our Wembley side and also in the N.R.L. Championship Final. Last season, mainly at prop forward, he made 25 appearances. His full playing record with us is:- Appearances 110. Tries 14. Points 42." [5]

Genealogical information

Les Chamberlain's marriage to Lily Geary (birth registered April→June 1939 (age 75–76) in Wakefield district) was registered during October→December 1959 in Wakefield district.[6] They had children; Garry J. Chamberlain (birth registered during July→September 1961 (age 53–54) in Lower Agbrigg district), Neil L. Chamberlain (birth registered during July→December 1965 (age 49–50) in Leeds district), Micheal Anthony Chamberlain (birth registered during July→September 1968 (age 46–47) in Leeds district), and Mark Andrew Chamberlain (birth registered during April→June 1973 (age 41–42) in Leeds district). Les Chamberlain's wife Lily is the youngest sister of Molly who married Stanley Smith, and Peggy who married Albert Firth.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Les Chamberlain Obituary". wakefieldwildcats.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "1959-1960 Championship Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Hoole, Les (2004). Wakefield Trinity RLFC - FIFTY GREAT GAMES. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-429-9
  5. ↑ Lindley, John (23 September 1961). Wakefield Trinity RLFC Official Programme: Leeds. John Lindley Son & Co Ltd. ISBN n/a
  6. ↑ "Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  7. ↑ Wakefield Express Page-18, Friday 30 November 2012

External links