Born in 1916, Frank Wagstaff first played Rugby League when he filled in for Kippax, his local amateur side, who were a player short for a match in 1934. After a couple of seasons in the amateur game, he answered an advertisement, which appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post, for players to attend trials with Hunslet, and was signed as a professional at Parkside. He then moved on to Castleford, who retained his registration despite having to cease operating during the war. As a miner, however, Frank was in a reserved occupation, which enabled him to take part in the wartime emergency competition when players were allowed to ‘guest’ for other clubs. Although he played mostly for Huddersfield during this period, Frank also answered the call from a number of clubs, including Keighley and Batley. By this time Frank had moved to field side prop, after beginning his career in the second row, and was becoming a first rate exponent of the scrummaging craft. He then moved on to Featherstone and Rochdale, before signing for Huddersfield, where he spent two more enjoyable seasons as the successful side of the 1950s began to take shape. He then moved to Batley, where he finished his fascinating career.
Hear Frank Wagstaff on:
- Playing during the War
- The Art of Scrummaging
- Early Days