Debut: vs Warrington (H) 6th December 1952

Honours: Challenge Cup (1957), Yorkshire League (1954-55)

George Broughton Junior inherited the Leeds number five shirt 30 years after his father, George Broughton Senior, wore it in September 1923.

Broughton Junior made his Headingley bow against Warrington initially on the right wing in the run-up to Christmas 1952. He signed for Castleford in 1949, appearing in the 1950 Yorkshire Cup final in front of 29,000 at Headingley, Huddersfield winning 16-3. In all, he scored 37 tries in 92 appearances for the Glassblowers.

At Leeds, he quickly gained a reputation for his fearless finishing, powering down the flank to collect 18 touchdowns in 20 games in his first campaign, his first three-pointer in a big home win over Hull on his third outing. His first hat-trick was against Bramley that season and, in total he crossed three times in a game on nine occasions. He played three times for Yorkshire, scoring a try against Lancashire at Leigh in October ‘53 and his tally of 25 tries in 1955-6 topped the Loiners’ standings. The following season, again in fine form, he played a vital part on the road to Challenge Cup glory. Whilst the semi final against Whitehaven at Odsal is remembered for the Cumbrians intransigence at the play the ball on 40 consecutive occasions as the clock ran down, and they held a one point lead until Jeff Stevenson’s late drop goal, Broughton had scored two fine tries diving in bravely at the corner on both occasions to give Leeds the initial advantage.

At Wembley, in the dramatic closing stages with Willie Horne releasing Johnny Rea, the Barrow centre kicked and chased for glory, Broughton sprinting back to cover and save the day just before the final whistle blew.

He retired at the end of the following season, scoring his last touchdown at home to Oldham and, try as he might in his final performance a week later on 23 April 1958, he couldn’t cross in a narrow home win over Rochdale, leaving him on 99 for the club in only 147 appearances.

Later a publican, he was notably mine host at the famous Chained Bull in Moortown, a rugby league haven not least when the Kangaroo tourists were in town.