Tom van Vollenhoven
Encyclopedia
Tom van Vollenhoven is a South African former rugby union
and rugby league
footballer of the 1950s and 60s.
Tom van Vollenhoven enjoyed a prolific career with St. Helens after switching codes from rugby union
from Northern Transvaal at the end of the 1950s. He was lured to the 13-a-side code after scoring a hat-trick for the Springboks
against the British Lions
in 1955 in a ‘cloak and dagger’ style operation which saw Saints vie off the competition of Wigan
for his services, and the attention of the South African RFU.
The 1960s were a golden era for wingers in the British league, and debate continues to this day over who can lay claim to be the premier winger of the generation. Commentators are split over whether Vollenhoven’s searing speed, or the sheer power of Billy Boston
marked them as the finest winger of their era.
Whatever the outcome, it is fair to say that Vollenhoven became a rugby league
sensation with the club in a career spanning ten seasons from the 1957 to the 1967-68 season. During this time he amassed a club record 392 tries in 408 appearances. This includes scored a record 62 in the 1958-59 season. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame
.
Vollenhoven was brought into a Saints side to add a scoring threat out wide, in a side that at the time, was more noted for its forward prowess. His centre, Duggie Greenall
was given strict orders to nurse and protect Vollenhoven whilst he found his way in his new game. Greenall was noted as something of a hardman, notably involved in a scandal with the Australians who claimed Greenall’s ruthless tackling had more to do with him using a plaster cast as to his tackling itself. Regardless, Greenall proved to be a fine centre for Vollenhoven in his early days, ensuring that the wingman received little risky ball and that adequate defensive cover was provided when necessary.
Van Vollenhoven’s rugby league début was against Leeds
at Knowsley Road
, and his first experience of the code was a negative one as he was responsible for a blunder which gifted the Yorkshire
side a try. However such disappointment was short lived as Vollenhoven produced a harbinger of things to come with a well taken try later in the same match much to the excitement of the Knowsley Road faithful. The crew cut wingman would prove over the next few seasons what an extraordinary talent he was, with arguably his finest moment coming in the 1959 Championship Final at Odsal
, where his hat trick
of tries helped Saints overcome a valiant Hunslet
side. His fist try is noted in rugby league folklore as one of the greatest tries in the history of the game. Vollenhoven beat a series of defenders in a blistering run down the touchline culminating in a try under the sticks. Regrettably, there is no video footage of this achievement as the cameras were not filming for this short period of the game. Many contend that until Vollenhoven’s intervention, there was every chance that the Yorkshiremen could have overturned the favourites.
In St. Helens' victory in the 1961 Challenge Cup
final he scored a memorable length-of-the-field try.
Over the years Van Vollenhoven matured into a fine all round athlete, honing the other areas of the game that a modern day winger is required to fulfil. This is supported by the fact that Van Vollenhoven had occasionally appeared at centre and even played one game at full-back. He established himself as a strong defensive wingman, capable of rushing over to the other flank to pull off try-saving cover tackles, whilst he was a stronger player than looks would suggest.
Tom Van Vollenhoven's final Saints match was against Hull KR
in April 1968 and his final game of rugby league was guesting for Great Britain in a trial match for the 1968 World Cup, at Thrum Hall
, Halifax
. Many former players would testify that rugby league was a brutal and vicious game in the 1950s and 1960s. The game was not as sanitised as it is in the Super League
era and matches could be attritional affairs. Inevitably, injury took its toll by the mid 1960s. With Van Vollenhoven etching out a reputation as a prolific scorer, opponents would employ unscrupulous tactics to counter his threat, such as the vicious stiff-arm unleashed by Huddersfield
's Peter Ramsden
, at Knowsley Road in 1963, which saw Vollenhoven lying prostrate on the turf, unable to continue. In his final season in 1967-68, Vollenhoven was a shadow of himself although he was regarded as a good player and underlined this by tallying three tries in his last appearance against Wigan at Knowsley Road.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
and 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 1950s and 60s.
Tom van Vollenhoven enjoyed a prolific career with St. Helens after switching codes from rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
from Northern Transvaal at the end of the 1950s. He was lured to the 13-a-side code after scoring a hat-trick for the Springboks
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
against the British Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
in 1955 in a ‘cloak and dagger’ style operation which saw Saints vie off the competition of 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....
for his services, and the attention of the South African RFU.
The 1960s were a golden era for wingers in the British league, and debate continues to this day over who can lay claim to be the premier winger of the generation. Commentators are split over whether Vollenhoven’s searing speed, or the sheer power of Billy Boston
Billy Boston
William John "Billy" Boston MBE is a former Wales and Great Britain professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer. Boston is a member of the Rugby League Hall of Fame, Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and was, along with Shaun Edwards the first to be voted into the Wigan Hall Of Fame...
marked them as the finest winger of their era.
Whatever the outcome, it is fair to say that Vollenhoven became a 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...
sensation with the club in a career spanning ten seasons from the 1957 to the 1967-68 season. During this time he amassed a club record 392 tries in 408 appearances. This includes scored a record 62 in the 1958-59 season. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rugby League Hall of Fame
Rugby League Hall of Fame
The Rugby League Hall of Fame is an International Hall of Fame that was combined and continually has additions from the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame, British Rugby League Hall of Fame, Fédération Française de Rugby à XIII and the...
.
Vollenhoven was brought into a Saints side to add a scoring threat out wide, in a side that at the time, was more noted for its forward prowess. His centre, Duggie Greenall
Doug Greenall
Douglas "Doug"/"Duggie" Greenall was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1940s, 50s, and '60s, and coach of the 1960s who at representative level played for Great Britain, England, and Lancashire, and at club level for St. Helens, Wigan, and Bradford Northern, playing at , i.e...
was given strict orders to nurse and protect Vollenhoven whilst he found his way in his new game. Greenall was noted as something of a hardman, notably involved in a scandal with the Australians who claimed Greenall’s ruthless tackling had more to do with him using a plaster cast as to his tackling itself. Regardless, Greenall proved to be a fine centre for Vollenhoven in his early days, ensuring that the wingman received little risky ball and that adequate defensive cover was provided when necessary.
Van Vollenhoven’s rugby league début was 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...
at Knowsley Road
Knowsley Road
Knowsley Road was a stadium located in Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside. It was the home of St Helens RLFC from 1890 until its closure in 2010. St Helens Town FC played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road from 2002 until 2010. For a period, the venue also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves...
, and his first experience of the code was a negative one as he was responsible for a blunder which gifted the Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
side a try. However such disappointment was short lived as Vollenhoven produced a harbinger of things to come with a well taken try later in the same match much to the excitement of the Knowsley Road faithful. The crew cut wingman would prove over the next few seasons what an extraordinary talent he was, with arguably his finest moment coming in the 1959 Championship Final at Odsal
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...
, where his hat trick
Hat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
of tries helped Saints overcome a valiant 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:...
side. His fist try is noted in rugby league folklore as one of the greatest tries in the history of the game. Vollenhoven beat a series of defenders in a blistering run down the touchline culminating in a try under the sticks. Regrettably, there is no video footage of this achievement as the cameras were not filming for this short period of the game. Many contend that until Vollenhoven’s intervention, there was every chance that the Yorkshiremen could have overturned the favourites.
In St. Helens' victory in the 1961 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 he scored a memorable length-of-the-field try.
Over the years Van Vollenhoven matured into a fine all round athlete, honing the other areas of the game that a modern day winger is required to fulfil. This is supported by the fact that Van Vollenhoven had occasionally appeared at centre and even played one game at full-back. He established himself as a strong defensive wingman, capable of rushing over to the other flank to pull off try-saving cover tackles, whilst he was a stronger player than looks would suggest.
Tom Van Vollenhoven's final Saints match was against Hull KR
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
in April 1968 and his final game of rugby league was guesting for Great Britain in a trial match for the 1968 World Cup, at Thrum Hall
Thrum Hall
Thrum Hall was a rugby league stadium on Hanson Lane in Halifax, West Yorkshire, England. It was the home of Halifax RLFC.-Stadium:The site, measuring 55,000 square yards and included a cricket pitch, greyhound track and bowling greens...
, 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...
. Many former players would testify that rugby league was a brutal and vicious game in the 1950s and 1960s. The game was not as sanitised as it is in the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
era and matches could be attritional affairs. Inevitably, injury took its toll by the mid 1960s. With Van Vollenhoven etching out a reputation as a prolific scorer, opponents would employ unscrupulous tactics to counter his threat, such as the vicious stiff-arm unleashed by Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
's Peter Ramsden
Peter Ramsden
Peter Ramsden was a professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at club level played for Huddersfield, and York, playing at , i.e. number 6.-Challenge Cup final appearances:...
, at Knowsley Road in 1963, which saw Vollenhoven lying prostrate on the turf, unable to continue. In his final season in 1967-68, Vollenhoven was a shadow of himself although he was regarded as a good player and underlined this by tallying three tries in his last appearance against Wigan at Knowsley Road.
Trivia
- A 7 inch vinyl called “The Greatest of Them All" was released to celebrate Vollenhoven’s time at Saints. This light hearted calypso was released to coincide with his testimonial season in 1967-68. Issued by Chart Records (CR 367) and recorded at Chart Studios, Liverpool, England.
- Vollenhoven retains his cult status in St. Helens to this day. He returned to England to front the club's centenary celebrations in 1990, and spent nearly three hours the day before signing autographs.
- For a spell, Saints had South African wingers on both flanks, with Jan PrinslooJan PrinslooJohannes "Jan" Albertus Prinsloo was a South African rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level played rugby union for South Africa, and at provincial level for Western Province, playing at Wing, i.e. number 11 or 14, and at...
also joining the club from Western ProvinceWestern Province (rugby team)DHL Western Province is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. The team has won the Currie Cup on 32 occasions and has the most supporters of any Currie Cup team...
RURugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
in 1958
- Tom van Vollenhoven guested for Wakefield TrinityWakefield Trinity WildcatsWakefield 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 their South AfricaSouth AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n tour in June and July 1962.
- Vollenhoven is one of four to hold the joint top scoring record in a single match for St. Helens with six against Wakefield Trinity in 1957 and Blackpool BoroughBlackpool BoroughBlackpool Borough was a rugby league club based in Blackpool, Lancashire.The team wore tangerine, black and white jerseys.-Blackpool Borough:...
in 1962 and is only one of two to achieve the feat twice (the other being Steve LlewellynSteve LlewellynStewart Marshall "Steve" Llewellyn was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer who rose to prominence in the 1950s. A born in Abertyleri, Blaenau Gwent, he equalled the St. Helens' club record for most tries in a match twice by scoring six against Castleford on the 3 March 1956, and again...
).