Ike Proctor made his debut on 8th January 1949 after signing from Halifax. In total he made 89 appearances for Leeds scoring 27 tries, the last of which came on a 17-10 win over Batley at Headingley on 3rd September 1951. He was transferred to Warrington during the course of the 1951-52 season. His great niece contacted the club from her home in New Zealand to tell us Ike had passed away aged 88 in New Zealand.
When he finished his career in England he went home to New Zealand with his English wife Audrey and they had 3 children. At his funeral there were several photos of him in his league days in England there was one particular one of him with a Leeds Jersey on.
He was a dual representative in both codes of rugby.
Dennis Murphy signed for Leeds from Bramley a fortnight after Ike Proctor making his debut at York on 29th January 1949. In total he made 74 appearances for Leeds, scoring 10 tries and 37 goals.
Club stalwart Billy Watts remembers both players fondly, "Ike was a tremendous player, if you gave him the ball ten metres short of the line, not even a brick wall would stop him scoring. Dennis was a great clubman who always gave 100% for the team and never took a backwards step. He ran a pub in Pudsey called the White Horse for years after finishing playing which Graham Eccles later took over. It is a sad news that both team mates have passed away so close to each other. Our thoughts go to their families and friends."
