Bill Carter RIP

It is with much sadness the club has learned of the passing of former club secretary Bill Carter, aged 97. 

Bill joined the club in 1957, the year that Leeds defeated Barrow to win the Challenge Cup at Wembley. However, he was a supporter of the club long before coming to work at Headingley. He retired from his full time role as Football Secretary at the start of the 1991-92 season after 34 years loyal service to the Loiners. However, he continued to have an involvement in a part time role capacity such was his love for the club. At the time of his retirement, the board thanked him for his loyalty and service which had spanned over five decades. They wrote, "Bill has been with the club for 34 years and is one of the game's most respected administrators, a true gentleman, Bill has been a maginificent ambassador for Leeds."  

Carter was instrumental in the 1960s of introducing the 'Pools' as part of the club's Development Societies which included the Headingley Development Society and the Leeds Rugby Development Society, both these organisations were valuable in maintaining the club's position at the top of the game with contributions to the installations of English sports first undersoil heating system and floodlights.  

He was a vital link between the board of directors and the football committee at the club throughout his time at the club with duties including paying the players wages and minuting all decisions by board. He was also responsible for the signing and registration of players and was often the first person that players would meet on arrival upon signing for Leeds alongside the likes of Joe Warham, Jack Myerscough and Harry Jepson for many years. In 1991, he was recognised by the Leeds Players Association when he was awarded the Outstanding Services award. 

Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington, who himself signed his contract with Carter to join Leeds in 1979,  commented, “Bill was a wonderful man who served the club so well over a very long period.  He was respected by all the Leeds players, staff and directors and he ran the club’s administration with a style befitting the Headingley traditions.  He loved Headingley and we will miss him.”

On behalf of everyone connected with the Leeds club, we would like to send our deepest sympathies to Bill's family and friends at this sad time. 

Bill Carter is pictured above with members of the 1961 Leeds Championship winning squad back in 2011 alongside their contempories from the era. 

Photo caption 
Back Row: Barry Simms, Joe Warham, Bill Carter, Ken Thornett, Vince Hattee, Lewis Jones, Jack Fairbank, Eddie Moss, Ian Brooke, Billy Thompson MBE, Ray French MBE, Billy Boston MBE, Johnny Whiteley MBE
Front Row: Derek Hallas, Fred Pickup, Eddie Ratcliffe, Bev Risman, Don Robinson, Trevor Whitehead, Wilf Rosenberg, Harry Jepson OBE, Alex Murphy OBE, Tommy Smales, Neil Fox MBE