Harold Poynton

GB international rugby league footballer

Harry Poynton

Personal information

Full name| Harold Poynton
Born| (1936-03-01)1 March 1936
Wakefield, England
Died| 4 June 2018(2018-06-04) (aged 82)
Wakefield, England

Playing information

Height| 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight| 11 st 5 lb (72 kg)
Position| Stand-off, Scrum-half
| Club

Years  | Team  | Pld | T | G | FG | P
1957–69  | Wakefield Trinity | 319  | 62  | 16  | 0  | 218
Representative
Years  | Team  | Pld | T | G | FG | P
1960  | Yorkshire | 1  |  |  |  |
1962  | Great Britain | 3  | 0  | 0  | 0  | 0

Source: [1]

As of 12 February 2009

Harold Poynton (1 March 1936 – 4 June 2018)[2] also known by the nicknames "Fishcake", "Poynton the Pippin", and "Prince of Bamboozlers",[3] was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity (Heritage No. 643) (captain), as a stand-off, or scrum-half, i.e. number 6, or 7.[1]

## Background

[edit]

Harold Poynton was born in Lupset, Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. He was a pupil at St Michael's School, Flanshaw, Wakefield, and then Snapethorpe School, Lupset, Wakefield, and he would watch Wakefield Trinity play over-the-wall without paying. He joined the British Army at age 18, whilst stationed in Germany, he played association football, and for the first time he played rugby football, and he left the army aged 21, and in 1957 he trialled for Wakefield Trinity's A-Team. He worked as a warehouseman c. 1963, and he later worked as a salesman for a food company. His nickname of "fishcake" originated from his habitual fish and chip shop order following training sessions with Wakefield Trinity, and was given to him by Derek Turner. He and his wife Kath ran newsagent's shops for over 30 years, initially on Hesley Road, Kettlethorpe, Wakefield, and then on Dewsbury Road (opposite Ashleigh Avenue), Lupset, Wakefield.[4]

On 15 July 2007 Harold Poynton had the beer Poynton's Pride named after him.[5] Harold Poynton's funeral service took place at Wakefield Cathedral at 11:00am on 21 June 2018, followed by cremation at Wakefield Crematorium at 1:00pm, and a reception at Waterton House.[6]

## Playing career

[edit]

### International honours

[edit]

Harold Poynton played stand-off, alongside Wakefield Trinity teammate; left-prop; Jack Wilkinson, and against teammates left-centre; Neil Fox, and loose forward; Derek Turner, in Rest of the League's 16–21 defeat by Great Britain in pre-1960 Rugby League World Cup warm-up match, in aid of the George VI's Jubilee Trust, at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Monday 12 September 1960, he played stand-off in Great Britain's 17–10 victory over Australia in the second 1962 Great Britain Lions tour Ashes Test Match at Lang Park, Brisbane on Saturday 30 June 1962, and the 17–18 defeat by Australia in the third 1962 Great Britain Lions tour Ashes Test Match at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 14 July 1962, and played scrum-half in the 8–27 defeat by New Zealand in the second Test Match at Carlaw Park, Auckland on Saturday 11 August 1962.[1]

In addition to the above Test Matches, Harold Poynton also played in the following 1962 Great Britain Lions tour matches; the 24–10 victory over Western New South Wales at Bathurst, New South Wales on Sunday 27 May 1962, the 18–23 defeat by Newcastle at Newcastle, New South Wales on Monday 4 June 1962, the 36–12 victory over Toowoomba at Toowoomba on Sunday 17 June 1962, the 55–8 victory over Central Queensland at Rockhampton on Wednesday 20 June 1962, the 33–31 victory over Far North Queensland at Cairns on Saturday 23 June 1962, the 20–5 victory over New South Wales at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 7 July 1962, the 10–18 defeat by Northern New South Wales at Tamworth, New South Wales on Sunday 8 July 1962, the 81–14 victory over Bay of Plenty at Rotorua on Tuesday 7 August 1962, the 13–46 defeat by Auckland at Auckland on Monday 13 August 1962, the 49–30 victory over South Africa at Pretoria on Thursday 23 August 1962, the 39–33 victory over South Africa at Durban on Saturday 25 August 1962, and the 45–23 victory over South Africa at Johannesburg on Friday 31 August 1962.

### County honours

[edit]

Harold Poynton won a cap for Yorkshire while at Wakefield Trinity, he played stand-off, alongside Wakefield Trinity teammates; right wing; Fred Smith, left-centre; Neil Fox, left-prop; Jack Wilkinson, and right-second-row; Derek Turner in the defeat by Cumberland, at Recreation Ground, Whitehaven on Wednesday 14 September 1960.

### Championship final appearances

[edit]

Harold Poynton played stand-off, and was captain, and scored a try in Wakefield Trinity's 21–9 victory over St. Helens in the Championship Final replay during the 1966–67 season at Station Road, Swinton on Wednesday 10 May 1967, played stand-off, and was captain, and scored a goal the 17–10 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the Championship Final during the 1967–68 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 4 May 1968.[7]

### Challenge Cup Final appearances

[edit]

Harold Poynton was injured in Wakefield Trinity's 11–2 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the Challenge Cup semi-final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 9 April 1960, and so he missed the 38–5 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1959–60 Challenge Cup Final, but he played stand-off in Wakefield Trinity's 12–6 victory over Huddersfield in the 1961–62 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 12 May 1962, in front of a crowd of 81,263, played stand-off, scored a try, played stand-off, and was man of the match winning the Lance Todd Trophy in the 25–10 victory over Wigan in the 1962–63 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1963, in front of a crowd of 84,492, and played stand-off, and was captain in the 10–11 defeat by Leeds in the 1967–68 Challenge Cup Final (the "Watersplash" final) at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1968, in front of a crowd of 87,100.[7]

### County Cup Final appearances

[edit]

Harold Poynton played stand-off in Wakefield Trinity's 16–10 victory over Huddersfield in the 1960–61 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1960,[7] played stand-off in the 19–9 victory over Leeds in the 1961–62 Yorkshire Cup Final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 11 November 1961, and played stand-off in the 18–2 victory over Leeds in the 1964–65 Yorkshire Cup Final at Fartown, Huddersfield on Saturday 31 October 1964.

### Club career

[edit]

Geoffrey Oakes, Reg Parker, and Harold Poynton made their début for Wakefield Trinity in the 17–12 victory over St. Helens at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 1 February 1958, in early 1963 he was the subject of a £8,000 transfer bid from St. Helens,[3] (based on inflation, this would be equivalent to £211,596 in 2023) (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately equivalent to £322,100.00 in 2017),[8] and he played his last match for Wakefield Trinity against Huddersfield at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 13 September 1969, after which he retired due to a recurring knee injury.

### Testimonial match

[edit]

Harold Poynton's Testimonial match for Wakefield Trinity was the 10–5 victory over the then league-leaders Leeds, at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Monday 15 April 1968.

## Honours

[edit]

Wakefield Trinity

* Challenge Cup: 1961–62, 1962–63
* Rugby Football League: 1966–67, 1967–68

## Family

[edit]

Harold Poynton's married Kathleen (née Stanley) in 1965 in Wakefield. They had two children; David (born 1966) and Rachel (born 1971).[9]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
2. ^ "A Tribute to Harold Poynton" (Document). Howarth Funeral Service. 21 June 2018.
3. ^ a b Waring, Eddie (1963). Eddie Waring - Rugby League - Annual 1963–64. Stockport: Boon & Co. ISBN na
4. ^ "Former Wakefield Trinity and Great Britain star Poynton dies". wakefieldexpress.co.uk. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
5. ^ "One for the road as brewery calls time". wakefieldexpress.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
6. ^ "Obituary at announcements.johnstonpress.co.uk". announcements.johnstonpress.co.uk. 15 June 2018. Retrieved 15 June 2018.
7. ^ a b c Hoole, Les (2004). Wakefield Trinity RLFC – FIFTY GREAT GAMES. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-429-9
8. ^ "Measuring Worth - Relative Value of UK Pounds". Measuring Worth. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
9. ^ "Harold Poynton Obituary". wakefieldtrinity.com. 5 June 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.

## External links

[edit]

* Poynton - "Prince Of Bamboozlers"

* v
* t
* e

Wakefield Trinity squad – 1961–62 Challenge Cup Final winners

* 1 Gerry Round
* 2 Fred Smith
* 3 Alan Skene
* 4 Neil Fox
* 5 Kenneth Hirst
* 6 Harold Poynton
* 7 Keith Holliday

* 8 Jack Wilkinson
* 9 Geoffrey Oakes
* 10 Albert Firth
* 11 Brian Briggs
* 12 Dennis Williamson
* 13 Derek Turner (c)

* Coach: Ken Traill

see also… 1961–62 season

* v
* t
* e

Wakefield Trinity squad – 1962–63 Challenge Cup Final winners

* 1 Gerry Round
* 2 Colin Greenwood
* 3 Ian Brooke
* 4 Neil Fox
* 5 Gert Coetzer
* 6 Harold Poynton
* 7 Keith Holliday

* 8 Jack Wilkinson
* 9 Milan Kosanović
* 10 Malcolm Sampson
* 11 Don Vines
* 12 Derek Turner (c)
* 13 Roger Pearman

* Coach: Ken Traill

see also… 1962–63 season

* v
* t
* e

Wakefield Trinity squad – 1966–67 Championship Final winners

* 1 Gary Cooper
* 2 Kenneth Hirst
* 3 Ian Brooke
* 4 Neil Fox
* 5 Gert Coetzer
* 6 Harold Poynton (c)
* 7 Ray Owen

* 8 John Bath
* 9 Bernard Prior
* 10 Edward Campbell
* 11 Geoffrey Clarkson
* 12 Bob Haigh
* 13 Don Fox

* Coach: Ken Traill

* v
* t
* e

Wakefield Trinity squad – 1967–68 Championship Final winners

* 1 Gary Cooper
* 2 Gert Coetzer
* 3 Ian Brooke
* 4 Neil Fox
* 5 Kenneth Batty
* 6 Harold Poynton (c)
* 7 Ray Owen

* 8 David Jeanes
* 9 George Shepherd
* 10 Don Fox
* 11 Bob Haigh
* 12 Matthew McLeod
* 13 David Hawley

* Coach: Ken Traill

* v
* t
* e

Great Britain squad – 1962 Tour

* Eric Ashton (c)
* Dave Bolton
* Billy Boston
* Frank Carlton
* Gary Cooper
* Brian Edgar
* Roy Evans
* Don Fox
* Neil Fox
* Eric Fraser
* Laurie Gilfedder
* Norman Herbert
* Dick Huddart
* Brian McTigue
* Alex Murphy
* Ken Noble
* Harold Poynton
* Gerry Round
* Bill Sayer
* Joby Shaw
* Peter Small
* Ike Southward
* Mick Sullivan
* John Taylor
* Derek Turner
* Jack Wilkinson

* Colin Hutton (coach)
* S. Hadfield & A. Walker (tour managers)

* v
* t
* e

Lance Todd Trophy winners

* 1946 Billy Stott
* 1947 Willie Davies
* 1948 Frank Whitcombe
* 1949 Ernest Ward
* 1950 Gerry Helme
* 1951 Cecil Mountford
* 1952 Billy Ivison
* 1953 Peter Ramsden
* 1954 Gerry Helme
* 1955 Jack Grundy
* 1956 Alan Prescott
* 1957 Jeff Stevenson
* 1958 Rees Thomas
* 1959 Brian McTigue
* 1960 Tommy Harris
* 1961 Dick Huddart
* 1962 Neil Fox
* 1963 Harold Poynton
* 1964 Frank Collier
* 1965 Ray Ashby & Brian Gabbitas
* 1966 Len Killeen
* 1967 Carl Dooler
* 1968 Don Fox
* 1969 Mal Reilly
* 1970 Bill Kirkbride
* 1971 Alex Murphy
* 1972 Kel Coslett
* 1973 Steve Nash
* 1974 Derek Whitehead
* 1975 Ray Dutton
* 1976 Geoff Pimblett
* 1977 Steve Pitchford
* 1978 George Nicholls
* 1979 David Topliss
* 1980 Brian Lockwood
* 1981 Mick Burke
* 1982 Eddie Cunningham
* 1983 David Hobbs
* 1984 Joe Lydon
* 1985 Brett Kenny
* 1986 Bob Beardmore
* 1987 Graham Eadie
* 1988 Andy Gregory
* 1989 Ellery Hanley
* 1990 Andy Gregory
* 1991 Denis Betts
* 1992 Martin Offiah
* 1993 Dean Bell
* 1994 Martin Offiah
* 1995 Jason Robinson
* 1996 Robbie Paul
* 1997 Tommy Martyn
* 1998 Mark Aston
* 1999 Leroy Rivett
* 2000 Henry Paul
* 2001 Sean Long
* 2002 Kris Radlinski
* 2003 Gary Connolly
* 2004 Sean Long
* 2005 Kevin Sinfield
* 2006 Sean Long
* 2007 Paul Wellens & Leon Pryce
* 2008 Paul Wellens
* 2009 Michael Monaghan
* 2010 Lee Briers
* 2011 Jeff Lima
* 2012 Brett Hodgson
* 2013 Matty Smith
* 2014 Ryan Hall
* 2015 Tom Briscoe
* 2016 Marc Sneyd
* 2017 Marc Sneyd
* 2018 Tony Gigot
* 2019 Daryl Clark
* 2020 Richie Myler
* 2021 Niall Evalds
* 2022 Chris McQueen
* 2023 Lachlan Lam
* 2024 Bevan French

* v
* t
* e

Wakefield Trinity Golden Greats 1945-1991

* 1\. Gerry Round
* 2\. Fred Smith
* 3\. Alan Skene
* 4\. Neil Fox
* 5\. Gert Coetzer
* 6\. Harold Poynton
* 7\. Keith Holliday
* 8\. Jack Wilkinson
* 9\. Leonard "Len" Marson
* 10\. Don Vines
* 11\. Mick Exley
* 12\. Bob Haigh
* 13\. Derek Turner

* v
* t
* e

Wakefield Trinity Hall of Fame 1873-1973

* 01\. 'Dickie' Lockwood
* 02\. Teddy Bartram
* 03\. Harry Hayley
* 04\. Herbert Hutchinson
* 05\. Jimmy Metcalfe
* 06\. Tommy Newbould
* 07\. Herbert Kershaw
* 08\. Thomas "Tommy" Poynton
* 09\. Arthur Kenealy "Nealy" Crosland
* 10\. Jonathan Parkin
* 11\. Billy Batten
* 12\. Stanley Smith
* 13\. Bill Horton
* 14\. Mick Exley
* 15\. Charles "Charlie" Pollard
* 16\. Ernest Pollard
* 17\. Ted Bateson
* 18\. Freddie Smart
* 19\. Sam Lee
* 20\. Herbert Goodfellow
* 21\. Leonard "Len" Bratley
* 22\. Harry Wilkinson
* 23\. Harry Murphy
* 24\. Leonard "Len" Marson
* 25\. Ronald "Ron" Rylance
* 26\. Denis Boocker
* 27\. Don Robinson
* 28\. Frank Mortimer
* 29\. Donald "Don" Froggett
* 30\. Harold Poynton
* 31\. Keith Holliday
* 32\. Derek Turner
* 33\. Don Vines
* 34\. Jack Wilkinson
* 35\. Fred Smith
* 36\. Neil Fox
* 37\. Billy Stott
* 38\. Don Fox
* 39\. Ken Traill
* 40\. Gerry Round
* 41\. Berwyn Jones
* 42\. Ray Owen
* 43\. Gary Cooper
* 44\. Bob Haigh
* 45\. Ian Brooke
* 46\. David Jeanes
* 47\. David Topliss

*[Pld]: Played
*[T]: Tries
*[G]: Goals
*[FG]: Field goals
*[P]: Points
*[c.]: circa
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template