A-Z of Leeds Rhinos - ‘P’ is for...Part-time.

Bev Risman, pictured researching his autobiography in 2007, was a 'school master' during his time playing for Leeds. Picture by Bruce Rollinson.

The Leeds supporters’ club handbook for 1966-67 lists 29 different occupations among a 48-man squad, including ‘professional cricketer’ - stand-off Alan Rees.

Rees won three rugby union caps for Wales in 1962 before changing codes later that year. He played 36 times for Leeds, but his Glamorgan career stretched from 1955-68 and included 216 first class matches.

He is also one of the few men to have played on both sides of the Headingley ground, appearing as a substitute for England in a 1964 Ashes Test, when he took a fine catch off Fred Trueman’s bowling.

Craig Innes scored one of Leeds' two tries when they were crushed by Wigan in the 1995 Premiership final. Picture by Steve Riding.

Leeds’ 1966-67 squad included nine building trade workers, five miners and two teachers, GPO technicians, engineers, electricians, clothing trade workers and clerks. Other occupations were: telegraph technician, brewery worker, stone mason, colliery fitter, ganger with the highways department, painter, butcher, builder, driver, blacksmith, welder, railway worker, depot manager, electrician, storeman, draughtsman, schoolmaster, sports gear worker, apprentice plater, farmer and joiner.

‘P’ is also for...Premiership. Leeds were first winners of the top-eight play-offs, introduced in 1975 when the sport went to a first past the post system for deciding league champions.

Having beaten St Helens 26-11 in the inaugural final, Leeds defeated Bradford Northern 24-2 four years later - and did not reach another final until 1995, the competition’s last season, when they were routed 69-12 by Wigan.

‘P’ is also for...Poor lad. The Watersplash Challenge Cup final of 1968 is probably the most famous rugby league match of all time. On a pitch waterlogged by downpours before the game and at half-time, Leeds beat Wakefield 11-10 after Trinity’s Don Fox missed a conversion from in front of the posts with the last kick. Leeds lifted the trophy for the eighth time, but commentator Eddie Waring’s description of Fox as a “poor lad” is the abiding memory.

Poor lad, Wembley heartbreak for Don Fox and Wakefield, but joy for Leeds. Picture by PA.

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