1912-1913

This season which had little to offer in the way of outstanding achievements in the League or Cup Competitions was, however, notable in regard to additions to the playing staff. Amongst the many players who came to Headingley were three who were to have long and distinguished careers. Indeed, the passage of time has done little to erase the happy memories of J. D. Campbell, W. H. Davies and W. A. Davies .

?Dinny? Campbell?s arrival at Headingley was foreshadowed in the Minutes of the Committee Meeting held on June 3rd: ?Letter from D. Murray, New South Wales, that he will do his best to get us a good back ?. Some weeks later we read of Campbell?s cablegram: ?Three hundred fifty stop two pounds per match stop three years stop Campbell ?. Murray?s was no idle promise for Campbell more than fulfilled the highest hopes held when he was signed, and the three years quoted in his cable was only a third of his actual career in the Leeds colours. Campbell, who was born at Penrith, near Sydney, is still revered on the terraces at Headingley and those who were privileged to see this great player and sportsman in action never fail to remind those who were not so fortunate. ?Dinny? as he was so affectionately called, has maintained his interest in the Leeds Club and has been instrumental in other Australian players coming to Headingley.

W. Hugh Davies, whose birthplace was at Nantyglo and who was a member of the Brynmawr Club, made his debut in the Leeds jersey at Fartown on November 30th, and he soon established himself in a wing position, scoring 21 tries in 25 appearances in his first season.

Hughie Davies was quickly followed by his namesake W. A. Davies, who had gained Welsh International honours as a centre, and who had a very impressive dub career with Aberavon, Plymouth and Devon Albion. In addition he had made 16 appearances for Devon and 4 for Glamorgan. Willie Davies who made his debut at Headingley against York on March 22nd, served the Club with great distinction and honour for twelve seasons. He gained a place amongst the immortals of the game as a member of the team which won that glorious ?Rorke?s Drift? victory at Sydney in 1914.

There were numerous other signings, including no fewer than five wingers: G. Spivey, from Hull K.R.; S. C. Abbott, a young local player; R. W. Pae, from Leeds Moorland, and a member of the Headingley Lacrosse team; S. Stacey, from Keighley; and finally, just before the season ended ?Dan? Lewis, from Cross Keys, who had been first reserve for the Welsh R.U. team. Forward signings included J. Sutton and J. O?Neill, from Leigh Shamrocks, and L. Leckenby, from York Leeman Wanderers. In view of this extensive recruiting there were naturally departures and the Club released C. E. Heaton, C. L. Gillie, F. Sullivan, and F. Barron. The records reveal that J. Brittain, who was later to become one of the famous? Busy B?s? was showing exceptional promise with the ?A? Team at this time, but his debut was to be deferred until September, 1915.

The outstanding achievement in an otherwise mediocre League record was the magnitude of the victory over Coventry, at Headingley, in the last match of the season. Every Leeds player scored in piling up the colossal score of 102 points, and Fred Webster had the remarkable distinction of scoring eight tries. Huddersfield (119 points to 2, versus Swinton Park Rangers at Fartown on February 28th, 1914) and Wigan (116 points to nil, versus Flimby and Fothergill at Central Park on February 14th, 1925) have since exceeded this record score for the Headingley grounds. Following a comfortable victory over Bramley in the 1st Round of the Yorkshire Cup Competition, Hull Kingston Rovers visited Headingley. The game never reached a high standard but excitement was intense in the closing stages as Leeds clung desperately to a one point lead. With only seconds left for play Sandham, a Hull K.R. forward, attempted to force his way over for the winning try scorning to pass to four unmarked colleagues, and Leeds were through to the Semi-Final. Batley, at Mount PIeasant, proved much too strong, however, and Leeds had to admit defeat by 18 points to 2, after a pointless first-half.

Interest in the Northern Union Cup was almost stillborn, as Wigan, at Central Park in the 1st Round, riddled our defence with a series of combined attacking moves and scored 38 points without reply.