Debut: Vs Castleford (H) 17th March 1928

Leeds Honours: Championship (Finalist 1938), Challenge Cup (Winners 1936, 1941, 1942; Finalist 1943), Yorkshire Cup (Winners 1934-35, 1935-36, 1937-38), Yorkshire League (Winner 1930-31, 1933-34, 1934-35, 1936-37)

Inducted into the Leeds Rugby Hall of Fame in 2022

Every side, successful or otherwise, has to include those whom teammates value most. They may not be the swashbuckling flashing blades, their name rarely appearing in match reports, more attached to adjectives like ‘hardy’ or ‘ever-reliable’. But, without them, there would be no foundation for success – the willing workhorses, happy for those scoring the tries to take the acclaim and headlines. During the first era of Leeds dominance, the contribution of one such forward fitted that bill perfectly - Stan Satterthwaite - not that the unheralded champion was short of family sporting pedigree. 

He was born in Woolwich, his father Charles, notably playing outside left for Arsenal at the time alongside his uncle, Joe - the first siblings to achieve the feat for the Gunners. Soon after, the family returned to native Cumberland, living in Derwent Street Workington, and playing Northern Union to similar effect, Stan was selected for his county at the age of just 17.

Spotted by the Leeds scouts, he came down to Headingley in 1928, making his debut in a home win over Castleford. He lodged at the house of coach Billy Cross, becoming engaged to his daughter Madge, a passionate Leeds fan until her passing at the age of 103.

Broad-shouldered and with hands like a JCB’s bucket, he had a scent of success when standing in for Joe Thompson in the semi-final of the 1932 Challenge Cup against Halifax, and in the subsequent replay, but missing out on selection for the decider.

Not so four years later when Leeds made it to Wembley for the first time, where he was introduced to King George alongside his father-in-law, and then helped take Warrington’s pack apart. There is no question that, in his era, he was a master of his art who was rarely, if ever, outwrestled in the tackle.

Part of the Loiners side that just fell to Hunslet in the all-Leeds Championship final in 1938, by then he’d also won Yorkshire Cup honours in the twice replayed final of 1934 and again in 1935; his representative appearances for Cumberland extending to five.

A near ever-present in the most demanding of positions, he continued to serve the club during the War years as an air raid warden, and was part of 1941 and 1942 Challenge Cup Final winning sides, to become the only player along with Jim Brough to hold three winner’s medals for the club.

The Loiners rebuilding after the end of the hostilities, he put his hand up to play in the teams that lost by record margins at Wakefield and home to Bradford, before retiring in January 1946.

Such was his love of Headingley and the Leeds set up, that he remained involved for a total of 50 years in various guises; as catering manager alongside Madge, coach of the juniors – son Neil playing for the ‘A’ team – scout, odd job man, doorman on the player’s bar, and as a hospital radio broadcaster for home and away games. He also worked as a kit manager for the RFL when they were stationed at Chapeltown Road and defines the phrase ‘outstanding contribution.’

So much so that there was a plaque marking his contribution and long service on the wall where the old dressing rooms were at the side of the pavilion, next to where the team used to run out down the famous concrete ramp. In 2022, he was also inducted into the Leeds Rugby Hall of Fame for his years of service in blue and amber.