I began writing this before the thread was raised.

I rarely come this way, but the passing of an ex- player deserves our recognition. Representatives of the Bulls, Bees, City and Park Avenue- together with most at the T&A, are often guilty in failing to acknowledge contributions made by former stalwarts – particularly in their passing.

I watched Stuart represent Northern on many occasions (1970-75,) with the 37-0 (three point try) first round, top sixteen championship play-off demolition of Warrington- among the highlights. I believe the game took place on Sunday, April 30th, 1972, and seem to recall Stuart being helped from the field with a broken arm- or something similar.

Wire took their drubbing badly, Alex Murphy being sent off following several minutes of foul play. Quite a fracas broke out between players and fans on the long walk back to the old dressing rooms, and I vividly remember a photo of Stuart being lead from the field- together with a report of the disturbance, making the front page of Monday morning’s Daily Express.

RIP Stuart.

rl

rlrl

There's someting in the Bradford Northern Official History about a ref being attacked on his way to the dressing rooms after a game. The club got fined and a stern warning. Think is was early 50s but could be wrong.

That long walk was a bit fraught for refs and players alike.

Aye, we had an informal referee grading system, based on the number of police horses in your escort

Early 50's !! I wasn't conceived at the time

I was there and I was very close to the action (say no more).. I know someone who will recall it perfectly, and I will post the detail when I get it.

Worrying - my days of youth are melting into lumps of forgotten dates

Think that may be the game I mentioned earlier. Nigel Williams has it in 1926 at Birch Lane. After an enquiry, Northern had to close the ground for the first two home games of the following season and play the games no nearer than 5 miles from Bradford, and also post warning notices. Funnily enough, it must have been a game which slipped my father's memory when he was busy telling how much better behaved kids were in his day..seeing as HE never mentioned it.

Think this picture from earlier in the thread has Brian Butler in his Swinton days on the far left. Other Northern players are Brian Hogan, Bill Pattinson, Francis Jarvis and Peter Dunn as far as I can remember.