Billy Batten
Encyclopedia
William "Billy" Batten, (birth registered July→September 1889 in Hemsworth
district — date of death unknown) was an English
rugby league
footballer of the early 20th century. He played at , and for Great Britain
, England
, Hunslet
, and Hull, and was one of the new game's first superstars. He was a brilliant athlete and a huge crowd-puller - and also well aware of his own worth.
, in the West Riding of Yorkshire
, Batten joined Hunslet
at the age of 17 and helped the club win all four cups
in 1907-08. He was also a member of the first British touring team to travel to Australasia
under the leadership of James Lomas
in 1910. He was later to decline the opportunity to tour again with Britain
in 1914 for "business reasons".
in his first season, when his presence in the side reportedly added £500 to gate receipts per game.
while at Hunslet in 1908 against Wales (2 matches), in 1908-09 against Australia (3 matches), Wales, in 1910 against Wales, in 1911-12 against Australia (2 matches), in 1912 against Wales, in 1913 against Wales, while at Hull in 1921 against Wales, and Other Nations, in 1922 against Wales, in 1923 against Wales, for Great Britain
while at Hunslet in 1908 against New Zealand, and Australia, in 1909 against Australia (2 matches).
While at Hunslet he was selected to play during the 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand
against Australia (2 matches), Australasia
(2 matches), and New Zealand. also in 1911 he again played against Australia, in 1912 against Australia, and while at Hull in 1921 against Australia.
. His benefit match in 1920 reaped an incredible £1,079 13s 8d. (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £141,000 in 2007). To put that in context Alex Murphy
, one of the game's true legends, raised approximately £2,000 in his "phenomenally successful testimonial year" almost 50 years later.
Billy Batten was known for his trademark "Batten Leap" - his ability to hurdle players. He passed this trick on to his son Eric Batten
, but the tactic was later outlawed because of its potential dangers. Billy Batten's other sons, Bob Batten and Billy Batten, Jr. were also top class rugby league
footballers, as was Billy Batten, Jr.'s son, the Leeds
, Great Britain
and England
international Ray Batten
.
Hemsworth
Hemsworth is a small town and civil parish on the edge of West Yorkshire, England. It forms part of the City of Wakefield, and has a population of 13,311....
district — date of death unknown) was an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the early 20th century. He played at , and for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
, England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
, Hunslet
Hunslet Hawks
Hunslet Hawks is a professional rugby league club based in Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England. The club, sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium, are currently champions of Championship One.-History:-Early years:...
, and Hull, and was one of the new game's first superstars. He was a brilliant athlete and a huge crowd-puller - and also well aware of his own worth.
Early career
Born in the Yorkshire mining village of Kinsley, near FitzwilliamFitzwilliam, West Yorkshire
Fitzwilliam is a small village on the edge of West Yorkshire, England. It is located in the City of Wakefield district. Technically, it is part of the town of Hemsworth and governed by Hemsworth Town Council as well as Wakefield M.D.C., but the Land Registry and Post Office recognise Fitzwilliam...
, in the West Riding of Yorkshire
West Riding of Yorkshire
The West Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three historic subdivisions of Yorkshire, England. From 1889 to 1974 the administrative county, County of York, West Riding , was based closely on the historic boundaries...
, Batten joined Hunslet
Hunslet Hawks
Hunslet Hawks is a professional rugby league club based in Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England. The club, sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium, are currently champions of Championship One.-History:-Early years:...
at the age of 17 and helped the club win all four cups
All Four Cups
Between 1905 and 1970 there were four trophies available to any British rugby league side:* Challenge Cup* Rugby Football League Championship* County league * County cup...
in 1907-08. He was also a member of the first British touring team to travel to Australasia
1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand
The 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand was the first international tour of the Great Britain national rugby league team, "The Lions". They played the second ever Ashes series against Australia before travelling to Auckland to take on New Zealand...
under the leadership of James Lomas
James Lomas (rugby league)
James Lomas was a pioneering English rugby league footballer of the early 20th century. Hailing from Maryport, Cumberland, his career lasted for twenty-four years from 1899 to 1923. A three-quarter and prominent goal-kicker, Lomas captained the Great Britain national rugby league team.Lomas was...
in 1910. He was later to decline the opportunity to tour again with Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
in 1914 for "business reasons".
Hull
He joined Hull for a then record fee of £600 in 1913 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £225,000 in 2009), and was to be paid £14 per match (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £5,260 in 2009), plus an additional special bonus. These were huges figures at the time and made Batten possibly the highest-paid professional footballer in Britain, if not the world. He helped the club win the Challenge CupChallenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
in his first season, when his presence in the side reportedly added £500 to gate receipts per game.
International honours
Billy Batten won caps for EnglandEngland national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
while at Hunslet in 1908 against Wales (2 matches), in 1908-09 against Australia (3 matches), Wales, in 1910 against Wales, in 1911-12 against Australia (2 matches), in 1912 against Wales, in 1913 against Wales, while at Hull in 1921 against Wales, and Other Nations, in 1922 against Wales, in 1923 against Wales, for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
while at Hunslet in 1908 against New Zealand, and Australia, in 1909 against Australia (2 matches).
While at Hunslet he was selected to play during the 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand
1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand
The 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand was the first international tour of the Great Britain national rugby league team, "The Lions". They played the second ever Ashes series against Australia before travelling to Auckland to take on New Zealand...
against Australia (2 matches), Australasia
Australasia rugby league team
-1911-12:Following individual tours by New Zealand and Australia in 1907-08 and 1908-09 respectively, the Northern Rugby Football Union invited an 'Australasian' team to tour Great Britain during the 1911-12 season...
(2 matches), and New Zealand. also in 1911 he again played against Australia, in 1912 against Australia, and while at Hull in 1921 against Australia.
Popularity
Such was his popularity that Hull would print "Batten certain to play" over posters advertising their home games at The BoulevardThe Boulevard (Stadium)
The Boulevard was a multi-purpose stadium in Hull, England. The venue was saved from demolition and reopened on 25 October 2007 as the home of greyhound racing in the city. It can also be used as a community stadium hosting amateur rugby league matches...
. His benefit match in 1920 reaped an incredible £1,079 13s 8d. (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £141,000 in 2007). To put that in context Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy (rugby league)
Alex J. Murphy OBE is an English former professional rugby league footballer and coach of the mid to late 20th century...
, one of the game's true legends, raised approximately £2,000 in his "phenomenally successful testimonial year" almost 50 years later.
Billy Batten was known for his trademark "Batten Leap" - his ability to hurdle players. He passed this trick on to his son Eric Batten
Eric Batten
Eric Batten was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s, '40s and '50s, and coach of the 1950s, who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Hunslet, Bradford Northern, Leeds and Featherstone Rovers, playing at , i.e. number 2 or 5,...
, but the tactic was later outlawed because of its potential dangers. Billy Batten's other sons, Bob Batten and Billy Batten, Jr. were also top class rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballers, as was Billy Batten, Jr.'s son, the Leeds
Leeds Rhinos
Leeds Rhinos is an English professional rugby league football club based in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The club won the 2011 Super League and became the most successful club in the Super League era, beating St Helens 32-16 on 8th October 2011. Formed in 1890, Leeds competes in Europe's Super League...
, Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
and England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
international Ray Batten
Ray Batten
Ray Batten is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s, and coach of the 1980s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Leeds, playing at /, i.e...
.