Ken Traill
Encyclopedia
Ken Traill was an English
professional rugby league
footballer of the 1940s and '50s, and coach
of the 1950s, '60s and 70s who at representative level has played for Great Britain
, England
, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hunslet
, Bradford Northern
, Halifax
, and Wakefield Trinity
, playing at /, i.e. number 13, during the era of contested scrums, and at club level has coached for Wakefield Trinity.
while at Bradford Northern in 1949 against France, in 1953 against Wales, Other Nations, in 1955 against Other Nations, and won caps for Great Britain
while at Bradford Northern in 1950 against New Zealand (2 matches), in 1951 against New Zealand, in 1952 against Australia (3 matches), and in 1954 against Australia, New Zealand.
Ken Traill also represented Great Britain
while at Bradford Northern between 1952 and 1956 against France (1 non-Test
match).
during the 1958/59 season.
's 3-8 defeat to Wigan
in the 1947-48 Challenge Cup
final at Wembley Stadium on 1 May 1948, and in Bradford Northern
's 12-0 victory over Halifax
in the 1948-49 Challenge Cup
final at Wembley Stadium on 7 May 1949.
as a player, in December, 1957, and became player-coach to our side in the following season. There were connections with Wakefield Trinity
in his career long before that and it is interesting to recall three such items. It was against Wakefield Trinity
, in 1947, that he made his début for Bradford Northern
at Odsal Stadium
. Son of Jim Traill, the former Hunslet
and Keighley
forward, he began his successful work with Hunslet Carr School, Leeds City Boys’ team (where he gained County honours) and as a member of the Hunslet Supporters’ Juniors. His career at Parkside
was interrupted by R.A.F.
service and he made a move to Bradford
in May, 1947. His selection for Yorkshire was in 1950. The County officials, however, withdrew him from the side on learning that he was born in Northumberland
. Trinity
’s Harry Murphy
took his place. A change in the rule enabled him to represent Yorkshire, however, on many occasions after that early disappointment. And it was, of course, against Trinity
that Ken played his final game for Halifax
. On that occasion he had the satisfaction of scoring a late match-winning try
against a combination of which he was soon to have charge. There were many honours for him during his days with Bradford
. He went on the 1950 and 1954 tours to Australia and represented Great Britain
in all three Tests
of 1952 and at Sydney
in 1954. And there were numerous medals for him too with the highly-successful Northern
side. He played in the successful Yorkshire Cup
finals of 1948 and 1949, the Wembley sides of 1948 and 1949 and the 1947-8 Championship-winning team. In 1955-56 he was transferred to Halifax
and there was soon a further Wembley appearance for him – against St. Helens in the 1956 final
. That season too, Halifax
were defeated in the N.R.L.
Championship Final by Hull – a side they had defeated earlier, after a replay, for the Yorkshire Cup
. His representative career was continued at Belle Vue
with selection for Yorkshire in 1958-9 and there was also an early addition to his collection of medals with the 1958 Yorkshire Cup
final against Leeds
. Throughout his career, Ken Traill has continually been associated with a side challenging strongly for the game’s highest honours. And so it has been during his time at Belle Vue
. Since becoming coach he has had the satisfaction of seeing Trinity
win the R.L. Cup
(1960), the Yorkshire League Championship
twice, the Yorkshire Cup
twice and of helping to guide our side into its first-ever Championship Final. There is promise, too, that there will be additions to this list of honours before the end of this present campaign. Already holders of the Yorkshire Cup
and with one of the best-ever starts to the league programme, Trinity
have high hopes in this the last season, for some time at least, of "One Division" football. That it could well be the last campaign in which the "All Four Cups
" feat can be accomplished in its present form has added significance in these hopes. No one is keener than Ken Traill to bring such possibilities into reality, and who can say – looking back upon his record and association with the game’s honours – that this is not possible? Everything else is there."
, Leeds
.
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...
professional 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 1940s and '50s, and coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
of the 1950s, '60s and 70s who at representative level has played 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...
, and Yorkshire, and at club level for 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:...
, Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
, Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
, and Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
, playing at /, i.e. number 13, during the era of contested scrums, and at club level has coached for Wakefield Trinity.
International honours
Ken Traill 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 Bradford Northern in 1949 against France, in 1953 against Wales, Other Nations, in 1955 against Other Nations, and won caps 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 Bradford Northern in 1950 against New Zealand (2 matches), in 1951 against New Zealand, in 1952 against Australia (3 matches), and in 1954 against Australia, New Zealand.
Ken Traill also represented 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 Bradford Northern between 1952 and 1956 against France (1 non-Test
Test match (rugby league)
A Test match in rugby league football is a representative match between teams representing members of the Rugby League International Federation.The definition of a Test match differs from that of an international match...
match).
County Honours
Ken Traill was selected for Yorkshire County XIII while at Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
during the 1958/59 season.
Challenge Cup final appearances
Ken Traill played in Bradford NorthernBradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
's 3-8 defeat to Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
in the 1947-48 Challenge Cup
Challenge 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....
final at Wembley Stadium on 1 May 1948, and in Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
's 12-0 victory over Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
in the 1948-49 Challenge Cup
Challenge 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....
final at Wembley Stadium on 7 May 1949.
Contemporaneous Article Extract
"Outlines On Ken Traill - Ken was transferred from HalifaxHalifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
as a player, in December, 1957, and became player-coach to our side in the following season. There were connections with Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
in his career long before that and it is interesting to recall three such items. It was against Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
, in 1947, that he made his début for Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
at Odsal Stadium
Odsal Stadium
Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal, Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls/Bradford Northern since 1934...
. Son of Jim Traill, the former 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 Keighley
Keighley Cougars
Keighley Cougars are a professional rugby league club from Keighley in West Yorkshire, England. As of 2012 they will play in Co-operative Championship having won the Co-operative Championship 1 play off final 32-12 against Workington...
forward, he began his successful work with Hunslet Carr School, Leeds City Boys’ team (where he gained County honours) and as a member of the Hunslet Supporters’ Juniors. His career at Parkside
Parkside, Hunslet
Parkside was a rugby league stadium in Hunslet, Leeds, England. It was home to Hunslet rugby league club and the source of their nickname the Parksiders....
was interrupted by R.A.F.
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
service and he made a move to Bradford
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
in May, 1947. His selection for Yorkshire was in 1950. The County officials, however, withdrew him from the side on learning that he was born in Northumberland
Northumberland
Northumberland is the northernmost ceremonial county and a unitary district in North East England. For Eurostat purposes Northumberland is a NUTS 3 region and is one of three boroughs or unitary districts that comprise the "Northumberland and Tyne and Wear" NUTS 2 region...
. Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
’s Harry Murphy
Harry Murphy
Harry Murphy was a professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s, '40s and '50s who at representative level played for Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, and Keighley, playing at , or , i.e...
took his place. A change in the rule enabled him to represent Yorkshire, however, on many occasions after that early disappointment. And it was, of course, against Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
that Ken played his final game for Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
. On that occasion he had the satisfaction of scoring a late match-winning try
Try
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
against a combination of which he was soon to have charge. There were many honours for him during his days with Bradford
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
. He went on the 1950 and 1954 tours to Australia and represented 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"....
in all three Tests
Test match (rugby league)
A Test match in rugby league football is a representative match between teams representing members of the Rugby League International Federation.The definition of a Test match differs from that of an international match...
of 1952 and at Sydney
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
in 1954. And there were numerous medals for him too with the highly-successful Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
side. He played in the successful Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
finals of 1948 and 1949, the Wembley sides of 1948 and 1949 and the 1947-8 Championship-winning team. In 1955-56 he was transferred to Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
and there was soon a further Wembley appearance for him – against St. Helens in the 1956 final
Challenge 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....
. That season too, Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
were defeated in the N.R.L.
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
Championship Final by Hull – a side they had defeated earlier, after a replay, for the Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
. His representative career was continued at Belle Vue
Belle Vue (Wakefield)
Belle Vue is a rugby league stadium in Wakefield, England. It is the home stadium of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. It is located beside the A638 Doncaster Road, approximately one mile south of Wakefield City Centre.- Description :Currently, the East stand has a covered stand with seating, with some...
with selection for Yorkshire in 1958-9 and there was also an early addition to his collection of medals with the 1958 Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
final against 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...
. Throughout his career, Ken Traill has continually been associated with a side challenging strongly for the game’s highest honours. And so it has been during his time at Belle Vue
Belle Vue (Wakefield)
Belle Vue is a rugby league stadium in Wakefield, England. It is the home stadium of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. It is located beside the A638 Doncaster Road, approximately one mile south of Wakefield City Centre.- Description :Currently, the East stand has a covered stand with seating, with some...
. Since becoming coach he has had the satisfaction of seeing Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
win the R.L. Cup
Challenge 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....
(1960), the Yorkshire League Championship
Rugby league county leagues
The Yorkshire League and the Lancashire League formed two sections of the Rugby Football League Championship for much of its history. Initially, the 22 clubs that broke away in 1895 played in one combined league, however the following season saw the addition of many clubs, and the League was split...
twice, the Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
twice and of helping to guide our side into its first-ever Championship Final. There is promise, too, that there will be additions to this list of honours before the end of this present campaign. Already holders of the Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
and with one of the best-ever starts to the league programme, Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
have high hopes in this the last season, for some time at least, of "One Division" football. That it could well be the last campaign in which the "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...
" feat can be accomplished in its present form has added significance in these hopes. No one is keener than Ken Traill to bring such possibilities into reality, and who can say – looking back upon his record and association with the game’s honours – that this is not possible? Everything else is there."
Career at Bradford Northern
Joining Bradford Northern from Hunslet in the 1946-47 season, Traill played 315 matches for the Odsal club in ten seasons, scoring 37 tries and kicking three goals. Not only was Ken Traill a great tackler but he possessed a pin-point pass that would put his support away.Outside of Rugby League
Circa-1968 Ken and his wife Joan were the landlord and lady of The Prospect Inn, 93 Moor Road, HunsletHunslet
Hunslet is an inner-city area in south Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It is south east of the city centre and has an industrial past.Hunslet had many engineering companies based in the district, such as John Fowler & Co...
, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
.
Honoured at Bradford Northern
In August 2007 he was named Bradford's Team of the Century.External links
- Ken Traill's Obituary In The Independent
- http://uk.imdb.com/name/nm0870672/Internet Movie Database IMDb Entry For This Sporting LifeThis Sporting LifeThis Sporting Life is a 1963 British film based on a novel of the same name by David Storey which won the 1960 Macmillan Fiction Award. It tells the story of a rugby league footballer, Frank Machin, in Wakefield, a mining area of Yorkshire, whose romantic life is not as successful as his sporting...
(1963) ...Trainer] - Ken Traill Statistics at englandrl.co.uk
- Ken Traill Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org
- Bulls Mourn Ken Traill
- Wildcats History
- Former Halifax Loose-Forward Traill Dies
- When League was the new TV game
- U.K. League Hooker in Doubt
- The Millennium Masters - Substitutes
- Team Of The Century
- Photograph "Northern at Fartown" at rugbyleagueheritageproject.com
- Photograph "Action from the 1952 Championship final" at rugbyleagueheritageproject.com
- Photograph "Bradford Northern after winning the Yorkshire Cup" at rugbyleagueheritageproject.com