Leeds rugby league club mourn Wembley star

Barry Lee, who played for Hunslet at Wembley in 1965. Picture by Hunslet RLFC.

Lee played on the left-wing in Hunslet’s 20-16 defeat by Wigan in the 1965 Challenge Cup final at the national stadium. He joined the professional club from Hunslet Juniors in 1959 and played in their Yorkshire Cup final win against Hull KR three years later. He was also part of the Parksiders side beaten by Bradford Northern in the 1965-66 county cup showpiece.

A club statement said: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former player Barry Lee. Barry was well respected by his Hunslet RLFC family both on and off the field. Our deepest sympathy and condolences to his wife Gwen and all the family at this sad time.”

Two years ago, Lee was presented with the jersey he wore at Wembley by Wigan’s full-back Ray Ashby, who shared the Lance Todd Trophy as player of the match with Hunslet stand-off Brian Gabbitas. Lee had stashed the item unseen in a drawer, but his wife retrieved it and – helped by author Laurie Baker –had it framed to be handed back to the former number five at the ex-Parkside Former Players’ Association annual reunion.

Gabbitas, right-wing John Griffiths, and Ray Abbey, who did not play at Wembley, are now Hunslet’s only survivors from the 1965 Challenge Cup squad.