1911-1912

There was a general air of expectancy when Hull were defeated in the opening League engagement as the Leeds team had been considerably strengthened during the summer through the signing of T. E. Thomas, F. W. Orchard, and F. Sullivan. ?Drummer? Thomas who had been ?bought? out of the Army had greatly impressed as a member of the 2nd Welsh Regimental team and had played several fine games for Llanelly. Orchard was obtained from the Huddersfield club, with whom he was unable to hold a regular place. Sullivan, who came from Pill Harriers, was unable to turn out against Hull as he was recovering from a fractured nose and a badly sprained ankle, which he had sustained in the pre-season practice games. He played in the next match, however, against Ebbw Vale, and another victory augured well for the future.

But our rejoicing was short lived as four defeats at the hands of Huddersfield, Oldham, Halifax and Hunslet, followed in rapid succession. The Huddersfield team which thoroughly routed our players at Fartown was just commencing that glorious run of success: Bartholomew; Rosenfeld, Wrigley, Wagstaff, Kitchin; Grey, Davies; Byrne, Clark, Gronow, Higson, Sherwood, Watts. (Moorhouse was rested for this match).

There were other signings before Warrington were entertained at Headingley on October 7th: W. G. Evans, Welsh International forward, from the Brynmawr club, and R. Ward who had been retransferred from Bramley. Meanwhile W. Biggs, and E. Oliver had joined Oldham. A brilliant exhibition of handling in the second half resulted in a comfortable victory over Warrington and hopes of a Yorkshire Cup triumph ran high when first Keighley, and then Halifax met with defeat in the opening rounds of the Competition. The Semi-Final brought Hull K.R. to Headingley and they turned out the following team: Carmichael; Brain, Thomas, Hughes, Spivey; Craven, Surman; Mann, Moore, Sandham, Huskins, Spackman, Blackmore. Any chance of victory which Leeds might have had disappeared when Jarman was compelled to leave the field after twenty-five minutes owing to a severe injury.

During November and December strenuous efforts were made to further strengthen the side and Walter Mackay, centre or stand-off, who had been in the same Regiment as ?Drummer? Thomas, made his debut against Batley at Headingley. He never made the grade and only turned out twice for the first team. A difficult situation arose with regard to T. Price, Cumberland half-back, who had played with the Leeds team in the early months of 1910, and who had then been allowed to join the Millom team on the understanding that he was bound to re-sign for Leeds when required. Price played such a splendid game for his County team that the Leeds Committee naturally endeavoured to obtain his services, but all their approaches were unsuccessful. C. E. Heaton, centre, who had played for Catford Bridge, Blackheath and Kent, made his first appearance on November 25th, when Bradford Northern were entertained at Headingley, and he rapidly established himself in the three-quarter line. Indeed, Sullivan and Heaton were the strongest pair of centres to have played for Leeds for quite a number of years. But the half-back problem remained and it was further aggravated when Bob Ward signified his intention of retiring. He then held the record number of tries scored for Leeds: 72, which was a surprisingly low Club record. On December 4th, Leonard Marshall, winger, made his first appearance for Leeds at the Barley Mow.

Any hopes of gaining Championship honours were finally dispelled when three games were lost during the Christmas period, and the Club Members voiced their disapproval at a Special General Meeting which they had convened by means of a petition.

Attempts were made to obtain the services of talented half-backs before the Cup Register closed. Cheshire and West, of Cross Keys, and Lloyd and Prosser of Pontypool, were considered, but there was some doubt as to whether they would ?fit the bill?, and it was decided to take no further action when it was learned that the fees required were prohibitive.

Three excellent victories over Wakefield Trinity, Halifax and Oldham preceded the 1st Round of the R. L. Cup Competition, and a large crowd assembled at Belle Vue to see the battle with Trinity. The first half was very even, with the interval score at 2 points each, but Wakefield gained a preponderance of the ball from the set scrums in the second half and thus gained a merited win.

Recruitment of players continued to the end of the season: W. H. Ganley, half-back, was signed from Leigh; F. Mirfield, a nineteen year old forward, with little knowledge of the handling game, joined the Club from Rawdon Association F.C., and soon established himself in the first team; A. D. Dennis, winger or full back, who came from York Leeman Wanderers thrilled the crowds with his tremendously courageous running.

Mr. Lazenby, a member of the Leeds Committee, presented a Silver Cup for annual competition between Leeds and Hunslet, the aim being to establish a fund for the provision of playing fields for teams in the Leeds and District Intermediate League. Leeds were the first to hold the Cup, defeating Hunslet at Headingley, on May 4th, by 14 points to 6.

During March the Committee endeavoured to secure a five year lease on the ?Star and Garter? Field at Kirkstall, but the landlord would not agree to a lease, and offered the field at an annual rental of ?20. It was therefore resolved to leave the matter in abeyance until further enquiries had been made with regard to Palliser?s field at Kirkstall and the field at the top of Headingley Avenue.

Sullivan had the misfortune to sustain a fractured leg in the Wigan match at Headingley on March 30th, and this injury cut short a highly promising career. He was, in fact, able to turn out on only three more occasions.