1923-1924

The management faced the season with high hopes, based quite understandably on the cup winning triumph of the previous year. Early League successes over Bradford Northern, Keighley and Swinton certainly promised well. Even a heavy defeat at Thrum Hall by 20 points to nil, in a game marred by the dismissal of Trusler and G. Jackson and an injury to Binks, was quickly countered by five successive victories so that by the end of October Leeds held first place in the League table. November, however, was disastrous: two matches were postponed and we met with two defeats at home so that valuable ground was lost. A partial recovery in December was followed by five successive defeats so that Championship hopes were dead by the end of January and we only attained twelfth place in the final table. The Cup Competitions provided little interest for Leeds!! We were defeated in the first round of the Yorkshire Cup and in the second round of the Rugby League Cup.

Contributory factors to a disappointing season were the constant problems presented by injury, the chief of which was that suffered by Billy Bowen on whom so many hopes had been built. Bowen was unable to play in a single game. Indeed, at the beginning of the season medical opinion suggested that Bowen would be well advised to retire. But Bowen loved his Rugby and before long he was back at Headingley acting as ?coach? in an advisory capacity, and assisting the Captain, Jim Bacon, in training sessions. He was not allowed to actually play, but season 1924-25 was to see him back in action.

Several players were transferred from Leeds during the season: R. H. Cracknell to Huddersfield; George Rees to Dewsbury; F. Godward and J. A. Ashton to Bramley; whilst Billy Ward, Joe Brittain and J. H. Hook went to York to join many ex-Leeds players in Mirfield, Reynolds, Sykes, Whiting, Moran, Owen, Short and Sutton. Billy Ward served the Leeds Club for thirteen years and his transfer broke the last link with the 1910 R. L. Cup Final Team. Squire Stockwell made his last eight appearances with the Club during the season and was eventually placed on the ?open to transfer? list.

The more important signings included George Broughton, who had successfully completed his period of trials in the previous season; Horace Bennett, a forward from Cross Keys; H. Goulthorpe, a centre from Robin Hood Colliery; E. D. Roberts, a stand-off from Northampton; Louis Corsi, loose forward and F. Millard, hooker, from York; Eddie Uren, a scrum half; and Jack Grant, a Cardiff scrummager, whose services were obtained to replace Joe Dixon whose police duties had led to a compulsory retirement. Negotiations to obtain the services of the Australian centre, Craig, almost succeeded but the lpswich Club finally refused to release the player.

Bacon, Walmsley and Thompson were originally selected for the 1st Tour Trial which was played at Headingley, but Walmsley had to withdraw on account of injury, and Buck took part as a deputy for Joe Lyman. Binks, Walmsley and Bacon took part in the second Trial which was played at Wigan. Jim Bacon and Joe Thompson, the latter then only twenty-one, were selected to tour Australia and New Zealand.

Sir Edwin Airey, who had been elected Lord Mayor of Leeds, kicked off in Joe Brittain?s Benefit Match versus York at Headingley, and delighted the crowd by taking part in two passing movements, scoring a try under the posts and making the conversion himself.

It is interesting to note that reference is made in the official programme to a Leslie Adams, of Meanwood Road School, who was showing great promise and had already gained City Team Honours. Rugby at Blackpool! !! Leeds met Barrow in a Charity match and the two teams delighted the crowd with a brilliant exhibition.

Ground improvements included the building of the ?ginnel wall? with consequent additional terracing for 4,000 spectators; whilst the roadway In St. Michael?s Lane was greatly improved at the Club?s expense.