Leeds V Bradford Northern Rivalry
Harry Hornby, the Chairman, and financial power behind Bradford Northern in the 1940s paid a record fee for Frank Whitcombe. Frank was a hard player during an era when the game was at its toughest. His rivalry with Arthur Clues who played for Leeds was legendary. Their confrontations on the field during the Bradford Northern v Leeds local derby games are part of Rugby League Folklore.
Trevor Foster, MBE, recalled an incident during one of these games in the late 1940s when Clues kicked out violently at Bradford Northern scrum half Donald Ward. Immediately Frank stood up from the scrum and confronted his reckless action. He ran towards Arthur with both fists clenched Whitcombe drove the full force of his 18 stone frame in to Arthur Clues chest and pole axed him. Clues could not get his breath and for ten minutes received emergency medical attention in front of the 40,000 capacity Headingley crowd. The referee sent Frank off for his actions while Arthur Clues was carried off on a stretcher and also sent off. In time honoured tradition the two men shook hands after the game to show their mutual respect for each other.
Frank Whitcombe and Arthur Clues became great friends when their playing days were over. They used to spend a lot of time in Whitcombe's Public House "The Kings Head" in Bradford. Needless to say there were no problems
Read more about this topic: Arthur Clues
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