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{{Short description|English rugby league footballer (1936–2021)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = Dick Huddart
|name = Dick Huddart
|fullname = Richard Huddart
|fullname = Richard Huddart
<!-- Commented out because image was deleted: |image = File:Dick_Huddart_St.George_Dragons_1967.jpg -->
⚫
|nickname = Tiger
|image =
|caption = Dick Huddart. St.George 1967
⚫
|birth_date = {{birth date|1936|06|22|df=y}}
|caption = [[Scanlens]] trading card featuring Dick Huddart
⚫
|birth_place = [[Flimby]], [[Cumberland]], England
⚫
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1936|6|22|df=y}}
|death_date = {{death date and age|2021|8|11|1936|6|22|df=y}}
⚫
|birth_place = [[Flimby]], England
| death_place = Australia
⚫
|height = 6 ft 0 in
|weight = 15 st
|height = {{convert|6|ft|0|in|m|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|15|st|0|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|position = {{Rlp|PR|HK|SR}}
|position = {{Rlp|PR|HK|SR}}
|club1 = [[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]]
|club1 = [[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]]
|year1start = 195?
|year1start = 1956
|year1end = 58
|year1end = 58
|appearances1 =
|appearances1 = 64
|tries1 =
|tries1 = 34
|goals1 =
|goals1 = 0
|fieldgoals1 =
|fieldgoals1 = 0
|points1 =
|points1 = 102
|club2 = [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
|club2 = [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]
|year2start = 1958
|year2start = 1958
Line 37: Line 41:
|year4start = 1970
|year4start = 1970
|year4end = 71
|year4end = 71
|appearances4 = 0
|appearances4 = 7
|tries4 = 0
|tries4 = 0
|goals4 = 0
|goals4 = 0
Line 59: Line 63:
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
| teamC = [[Cumbria rugby league team|Cumberland]]
⚫
|updated =
| yearCstart = 1956
⚫
|source = <ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/dick-huddart/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19950000000000/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Huddart&submit=Go&c=England|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19950000000000/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Huddart&submit=Go&c=GB|title=Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref>
| yearCend = 63
| appearancesC = 11
⚫
| triesC = 4
⚫
| goalsC = 0
| fieldgoalsC = 0
| pointsC = 12
|updated = 23 August 2021
⚫
|source = <ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/dick-huddart/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Huddart&submit=Go&c=England|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032608/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Huddart&submit=Go&c=England|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2018|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Huddart&submit=Go&c=GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418032453/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Huddart&submit=Go&c=GB|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 April 2018|title=Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="RLJ Autumn 2021"/>
|new = yes
|new = yes
| module = {{infobox person
⚫
| embed = yes
| relatives = [[Milton Huddart]] (con)
}}
}}
}}


'''Dick 'Tiger' Huddart''' (born 22 June 1936) is an English former professional [[rugby league]] footballer of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. A [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] and [[England national rugby league team|England]] international representative forward, he played at club level in England for [[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]] and [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] (with whom he won the [[1961 Challenge Cup]]), and in Australia for [[St. George Dragons|St. George]] (with whom he won the [[1966 NSWRFL Premiership]]).<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org"/> Huddart is both a Whitehaven, and [[St Helens R.F.C. Hall of Fame]] inductee. He is also the father of the late rugby league footballer; [[Milton Huddart]].
'''Richard Huddart''' (22 June 1936 – 11 August 2021) was an English professional [[rugby league]] footballer who played in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. A [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] and [[England national rugby league team|England]] international representative forward, he played at club level in England for [[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]] and [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] (with whom he won the [[1961 Challenge Cup]]), and in Australia for [[St. George Dragons|St. George]] (with whom he won the [[1966 NSWRFL Premiership]]).<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org"/> Huddart was both a Whitehaven and [[St Helens R.F.C. Hall of Fame]] inductee.


==Background==
==Background==
Dick Huddart was born in [[Flimby]], [[Cumberland]] on 22 June 1936.
Dick Huddart was born in [[Flimby]], [[Cumberland]] on 22 June 1936. After leaving school he worked as a fitter at a local coal mine. He played amateur rugby for Risehow, Huddart turned professional, signing with rugby league club Whitehaven in 1954.<ref name="RLJ Autumn 2021"/>


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
===Britain===
===Britain===
After playing amateur rugby for Risehow, Huddart turned professional, signing with [[rugby league]] club [[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]] for £250. Later that year he became the first Whitehaven player to be selected to play for the [[Great Britain national rugby league team]], touring Australia with them and winning [[The Ashes (rugby league)|the Ashes]]. Huddart played right-{{rlp|sr}}, i.e. number 12, in [[Whitehaven R.L.F.C.|Whitehaven]]'s 14-11 victory over [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] in the [[Kangaroo Tour|1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France]] match at the [[Recreation Ground (Whitehaven)|Recreation Ground]], [[Whitehaven]] on Saturday 20 October 1956, in front of a crowd of 10,917.<ref name="When Haven beat the Aussies">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19950000000000/http://www.totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=269&featcat_id=32|title=When Haven beat the Aussies|publisher=totalrl.com|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref> He won [[Cap (sport)|cap]]s for [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] while at Whitehaven in 1958 against Australia (2 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches).
Huddart's first team debut for Whitehaven came in August 1956 against Warrington, the following month he played in his first [[County Championship (rugby league)|County Championship]] match for Cumberland.<ref name="RLJ Autumn 2021">{{cite magazine |title=Special Tribute: Dick Huddart |magazine=Rugby League Journal |issue=76 |date=Autumn 2021 |pages=24–26}}</ref> Huddart played right-{{rlp|sr}} in Whitehaven's 14–11 victory over [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] in the [[Kangaroo Tour|1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France]] match at the [[Recreation Ground (Whitehaven)|Recreation Ground]], [[Whitehaven]] on Saturday 20 October 1956, in front of a crowd of 10,917.<ref name="When Haven beat the Aussies">{{cite web|url=http://www.totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=269&featcat_id=32|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114185405/http://totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=269&featcat_id=32|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 January 2010|title=When Haven beat the Aussies|publisher=totalrl.com|date=31 December 2017|access-date=1 January 2018}}</ref> Later that year he became the first Whitehaven player to be selected to play for the [[Great Britain national rugby league team]],<ref name="RLJ Autumn 2021"/> touring Australia and New Zealand as a member of the [[1958 Great Britain Lions tour|1958 Great Britain team]] and winning [[The Ashes (rugby league)|the Ashes]] being [[Cap (sport)|capped]] four times on the tour - twice against Australia and wice against New Zealand.<ref name="RLJ Autumn 2021"/>


Upon his return, Huddart decided to move to [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]], signing with them in October, 1958. During the [[1959–60 Northern Rugby Football League season|1959–60 season]] he played as a second-row forward in [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]' 4–5 loss against [[Warrington Wolves|Warrington]] in the [[1959 Lancashire Cup]] Final at [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] on Saturday 31 October 1959. While at St. Helens he played for [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] in 1959 against Australia, in 1961 against New Zealand (3 matches), in 1962 against France (2 matches), Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1963 against Australia.<ref name="Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk"/> During the [[1960–61 Northern Rugby Football League season|1960–61 season]] Huddart played at {{rlp|sr}} and was named [[player of the match|man of the match]], winning the [[Lance Todd Trophy]] in the 12-6 victory over [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] in the [[1961 Challenge Cup]] Final at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], [[London]] on Saturday 13 May 1961, in front of a crowd of 94,672. He also helped Great Britain retain [[The Ashes (rugby league)|the Ashes]] in the 1962 tour of Australia. Huddart won a [[Cap (sport)|cap]] for [[England national rugby league team|England]] while at St. Helens in 1962 against France.<ref name="England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk"/> During the [[1960–61 Northern Rugby Football League season|1960–61 season]] he played at second-row forward in the 15-9 victory over [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]] in the [[1960 Lancashire Cup]] Final at [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] on Saturday 29 October 1960. During the [[1961–62 Northern Rugby Football League season|1961–62 season]] He played right-{{rlp|sr}} in the 25-9 victory over [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]] in the [[1961 Lancashire Cup]] Final at [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] on Saturday 11 November 1961. During the [[1962–63 Northern Rugby Football League season|1962–63 season]] he played at second-row forward in the 7–4 victory over [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]] in the [[1962 Lancashire Cup]] Final at [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] on Saturday 27 October 1962.
Upon his return, Huddart decided to move to [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]], signing with them in October, 1958. During the [[1959–60 Northern Rugby Football League season|1959–60 season]] he played as a {{rlp|sr}} in [[St Helens R.F.C.|St. Helens]]' 4–5 loss against [[Warrington Wolves|Warrington]] in the [[1959 Lancashire Cup]] Final at [[Central Park (Wigan)|Central Park]], [[Wigan]] on Saturday 31 October 1959. While at St. Helens he played for Great Britain in 1959 against Australia, in 1961 against New Zealand (three matches), in 1962 against France (two matches), Australia (three matches), and New Zealand (two matches), and in 1963 against Australia.<ref name="Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk"/> During the [[1960–61 Northern Rugby Football League season|1960–61 season]] Huddart played at {{rlp|sr}} and was named [[player of the match|man of the match]], winning the [[Lance Todd Trophy]] in the 12–6 victory over [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] in the [[1961 Challenge Cup]] Final at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]], [[London]] on Saturday 13 May 1961, in front of a crowd of 94,672. He also helped Great Britain retain the Ashes] in the 1962 tour of Australia. Huddart won a single cap for [[England national rugby league team|England]] while at St. Helens in 1962 against France.<ref name="England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk"/> During the 1960–61 season he played at {{rlp|sr}} in the 15–9 victory over [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]] in the [[1960 Lancashire Cup]] Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 October 1960. During the [[1961–62 Northern Rugby Football League season|1961–62 season]] he played right-{{rlp|sr}} in the 25–9 victory over [[Swinton Lions|Swinton]] in the [[1961 Lancashire Cup]] Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 November 1961. During the [[1962–63 Northern Rugby Football League season|1962–63 season]] he played at {{rlp|sr}} in the 7–4 victory over Swinton in the [[1962 Lancashire Cup]] Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 27 October 1962.


===Australia===
===Australia===
Huddart moved to Australia to play for NSWRFL club [[St. George Dragons|St. George]] from the 1964 season. It was hoped he could help fill the large shoes left in the record-breaking champion St. George side's second-row by the retiring [[Norm Provan]]. Huddart went on to help the Dragons continue their dominance in that period, scoring a try in the [[1966 NSWRFL season]]'s Grand Final win against [[Balmain Tigers|Balmain]]. The turning point of that match came when Huddart and [[Ian Walsh (rugby league)|Ian Walsh]] put on a set move as the Balmain defence rushed up too early. Walsh burst through the line and with only the fullback to beat and passed the ball to Huddart who raced 30 yards to score. Huddart thus became the first Great Britain Test player to win a premiership in Australia.
Huddart moved to Australia to play for NSWRFL club [[St. George Dragons|St. George]] from the 1964 season. It was hoped he could help fill the large shoes left in the record-breaking champion St. George side's second-row by the retiring [[Norm Provan]]. Huddart went on to help the Dragons continue their dominance in that period, scoring a try in the [[1966 NSWRFL season]]'s Grand Final victory over [[Balmain Tigers|Balmain]]. The turning point of that match came when Huddart and [[Ian Walsh (rugby league)|Ian Walsh]] put on a set move as the Balmain defence rushed up too early. Walsh burst through the line and with only the fullback to beat and passed the ball to Huddart who raced 30 yards to score.<ref>{{cite web |title=1966 grand final rewind: Eras end as Dragons win 11th straight |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/01/24/1966-grand-final-rewind-eras-end-as-dragons-win-11th-straight/ |website=National Rugby League |access-date=23 August 2021 |date=24 January 2021}}</ref> Huddart thus became the first Great Britain Test player to win a premiership in Australia.<ref name="RLJ Autumn 2021"/> After leaving St. George, Huddart became player-coach at Dubbo Macquarrie in the [[Group 11 Rugby League|Western Division]] of the [[New South Wales Rugby League|NSWRL]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Riviere |first1=Richard de la |title=Rugby League Heroes: Dick Huddart (Part 2) |url=https://www.totalrl.com/rugby-league-heroes-dick-huddart-part-2/ |access-date=23 August 2021 |work=TotalRL.com {{!}} Rugby League Express {{!}} Rugby League World |date=1 July 2021}}</ref>


Huddart returned to Britain in [[1970–71 Northern Rugby Football League season|1970–71]] to play a final season with Whitehaven.
Huddart returned to Britain in [[1970–71 Northern Rugby Football League season|1970–71]] to play a final season with Whitehaven.<ref name="RLJ Autumn 2021"/>

==Personal life==
Huddart was married twice, his first marriage to Iris ended in divorce after the family returned to England in 1970. After the divorce Huddart returned to Australia where he met and married his second wife, Lyn.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rugby League had never seen a more explosive running forward than Dick Huddart |url=https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/sport/19507148.tribute-st-helens-great-britain-legend-dick-huddart/ |access-date=23 August 2021 |work=St Helens Star |date=11 August 2021}}</ref> He was the father of rugby league footballer; [[Milton Huddart]] while and uncle, Dan Huddart, also played professional rugby league for [[Workington Town]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Rugby legend dies in Australia |url=https://www.whitehavennews.co.uk/news/19505676.legend-dick-huddart-dies-australia/ |access-date=23 August 2021 |work=Whitehaven News |date=11 August 2021}}</ref>

He died on 11 August 2021, aged 85.<ref>{{cite web|website=Sky Sports|date=11 Aug 2021|accessdate=11 Aug 2021|title=Dick Huddart: St Helens legend and three-time Ashes winner with Great Britain dies aged 85|url=https://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/12378889/dick-huddart-st-helens-legend-and-three-time-ashes-winner-with-great-britain-dies-aged-85}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 85: Line 106:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=10&num=15649 Dick Huddart at saints.org.uk]
*[http://www.saints.org.uk/saints.org.uk/home/viewpage.php?page_id=10&num=15649 Dick Huddart at saints.org.uk]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/19950000000000/http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Dick-Huddart_4129.aspx Dick Huddart at yesterdayshero.com.au]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20110706114154/http://www.yesterdayshero.com.au/PlayerProfile_Dick-Huddart_4129.aspx Dick Huddart at yesterdayshero.com.au]
*[http://www.showroom.com.au/dragons/dragonshistory/history_stgeorge4c.htm St. George Dragons history at showroom.com.au/dragons]
*[http://www.showroom.com.au/dragons/dragonshistory/history_stgeorge4c.htm St. George Dragons history at showroom.com.au/dragons] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080721145127/http://www.showroom.com.au/dragons/dragonshistory/history_stgeorge4c.htm |date=21 July 2008 }}
*[http://www.marras.co.uk/Mimortals.html#anchor61616 Whitehaven RLFC Immortals at marras.co.uk]
*[http://www.marras.co.uk/Mimortals.html#anchor61616 Whitehaven RLFC Immortals at marras.co.uk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529053956/http://www.marras.co.uk/Mimortals.html#anchor61616 |date=29 May 2009 }}
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/19950000000000/http://www.totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=269&featcat_id=32 When Haven beat the Aussies]
*(archived by web.archive.org) [https://web.archive.org/web/20100114185405/http://totalrl.com/features/content.php?feat_id=269&featcat_id=32 When Haven beat the Aussies]


{{St Helens - 1958–59 Championship Final Winners}}
{{St Helens - 1958–59 Championship Final Winners}}
{{St. Helens - 1961 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{St. Helens - 1961 Challenge Cup Final winners}}
{{St. George Dragons squad 1966 NSWRFL premiership}}
{{St. George Dragons squad 1966 NSWRFL premiership}}
{{Great Britain squad – 1958 Tour}}
{{Great Britain squad – 1962 Tour}}
{{Lance Todd Trophy winners}}
{{Lance Todd Trophy winners}}
{{St Helens RLFC Hall of Fame Inductees}}
{{St Helens RLFC Hall of Fame Inductees}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Huddart, Dick}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Huddart, Dick}}
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:1936 births]]
[[Category:St. George Dragons players]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
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[[Category:Cumbria rugby league team players]]
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[[Category:England national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:English rugby league players]]
[[Category:English rugby league players]]
⚫
[[Category:St Helens RLFC players]]
⚫
[[Category:Whitehaven RLFC players]]
[[Category:Great Britain national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Great Britain national rugby league team players]]
⚫
[[Category:England national rugby league team players]]
⚫
[[Category:Rugby league second-rows]]
[[Category:Lance Todd Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Lance Todd Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Maryport]]
⚫
[[Category:Rugby league second-rows]]
[[Category:St Helens R.F.C. players]]
[[Category:St. George Dragons players]]
⚫
[[Category:Whitehaven R.L.F.C. players]]

Latest revision as of 09:00, 22 August 2024

Dick Huddart
Personal information
Full nameRichard Huddart
Born(1936-06-22)22 June 1936
Flimby, Cumberland, England
Died11 August 2021(2021-08-11) (aged 85)
Australia
Playing information
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight15 st 0 lb (95 kg)
PositionProp, Hooker, Second-row
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1956–58 Whitehaven 64 34 0 0 102
1958–64 St. Helens 209 76 0 0 228
1964–68 St. George 78 16 0 0 48
1970–71 Whitehaven 7 0 0 0 0
Total 358 126 0 0 378
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1958–63 Great Britain 16 2 0 0 6
1962 England 1 0 0 0 0
1956–63 Cumberland 11 4 0 0 12
Source: [1][2][3][4]
RelativesMilton Huddart (con)

Richard Huddart (22 June 1936 – 11 August 2021) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. A Great Britain and England international representative forward, he played at club level in England for Whitehaven and St Helens (with whom he won the 1961 Challenge Cup), and in Australia for St. George (with whom he won the 1966 NSWRFL Premiership).[1] Huddart was both a Whitehaven and St Helens R.F.C. Hall of Fame inductee.

Background

[edit]

Dick Huddart was born in Flimby, Cumberland on 22 June 1936. After leaving school he worked as a fitter at a local coal mine. He played amateur rugby for Risehow, Huddart turned professional, signing with rugby league club Whitehaven in 1954.[4]

Playing career

[edit]

Britain

[edit]

Huddart's first team debut for Whitehaven came in August 1956 against Warrington, the following month he played in his first County Championship match for Cumberland.[4] Huddart played right-second-row in Whitehaven's 14–11 victory over Australia in the 1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France match at the Recreation Ground, Whitehaven on Saturday 20 October 1956, in front of a crowd of 10,917.[5] Later that year he became the first Whitehaven player to be selected to play for the Great Britain national rugby league team,[4] touring Australia and New Zealand as a member of the 1958 Great Britain team and winning the Ashes being capped four times on the tour - twice against Australia and wice against New Zealand.[4]

Upon his return, Huddart decided to move to St. Helens, signing with them in October, 1958. During the 1959–60 season he played as a second-row in St. Helens' 4–5 loss against Warrington in the 1959 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 31 October 1959. While at St. Helens he played for Great Britain in 1959 against Australia, in 1961 against New Zealand (three matches), in 1962 against France (two matches), Australia (three matches), and New Zealand (two matches), and in 1963 against Australia.[3] During the 1960–61 season Huddart played at second-row and was named man of the match, winning the Lance Todd Trophy in the 12–6 victory over Wigan in the 1961 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1961, in front of a crowd of 94,672. He also helped Great Britain retain the Ashes] in the 1962 tour of Australia. Huddart won a single cap for England while at St. Helens in 1962 against France.[2] During the 1960–61 season he played at second-row in the 15–9 victory over Swinton in the 1960 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 October 1960. During the 1961–62 season he played right-second-row in the 25–9 victory over Swinton in the 1961 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 November 1961. During the 1962–63 season he played at second-row in the 7–4 victory over Swinton in the 1962 Lancashire Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 27 October 1962.

Australia

[edit]

Huddart moved to Australia to play for NSWRFL club St. George from the 1964 season. It was hoped he could help fill the large shoes left in the record-breaking champion St. George side's second-row by the retiring Norm Provan. Huddart went on to help the Dragons continue their dominance in that period, scoring a try in the 1966 NSWRFL season's Grand Final victory over Balmain. The turning point of that match came when Huddart and Ian Walsh put on a set move as the Balmain defence rushed up too early. Walsh burst through the line and with only the fullback to beat and passed the ball to Huddart who raced 30 yards to score.[6] Huddart thus became the first Great Britain Test player to win a premiership in Australia.[4] After leaving St. George, Huddart became player-coach at Dubbo Macquarrie in the Western Division of the NSWRL.[7]

Huddart returned to Britain in 1970–71 to play a final season with Whitehaven.[4]

Personal life

[edit]

Huddart was married twice, his first marriage to Iris ended in divorce after the family returned to England in 1970. After the divorce Huddart returned to Australia where he met and married his second wife, Lyn.[8] He was the father of rugby league footballer; Milton Huddart while and uncle, Dan Huddart, also played professional rugby league for Workington Town.[9]

He died on 11 August 2021, aged 85.[10]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 18 April 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Special Tribute: Dick Huddart". Rugby League Journal. No. 76. Autumn 2021. pp. 24–26.
  5. ^ "When Haven beat the Aussies". totalrl.com. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. ^ "1966 grand final rewind: Eras end as Dragons win 11th straight". National Rugby League. 24 January 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  7. ^ Riviere, Richard de la (1 July 2021). "Rugby League Heroes: Dick Huddart (Part 2)". TotalRL.com | Rugby League Express | Rugby League World. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Rugby League had never seen a more explosive running forward than Dick Huddart". St Helens Star. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  9. ^ "Rugby legend dies in Australia". Whitehaven News. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  10. ^ "Dick Huddart: St Helens legend and three-time Ashes winner with Great Britain dies aged 85". Sky Sports. 11 August 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
[edit]
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