Trevor Leathley.

Huddersfield Giants would like to pay tribute to former player Trevor Leathley who passed earlier this week at the age of 74.

Trevor was born in Leeds and as a junior played rugby league for Belle Isle School and Leeds Under 17 and Under 19 teams before joining Leeds amateur side Thorpe.

During his four seasons with Thorpe, Leathley was selected for the Yorkshire Open Age side on three occasions, and in 1972 played at Full Back for England against France in an amateur International at Barrow, kicking five goals in a 22 - 2 win.

He was twenty-five years of age when he was signed by Huddersfield in mid-September 1973. He Immediately made his debut at right Centre against Castleford at Fartown in a Floodlit Trophy game on 19 September, going on to play in 30 consecutive games in his first season with the Fartowners scoring nine tries, including three in a 33 -5 win against Doncaster at Fartown on 17 November 1973.

The following season 1974/75 season he turned out at Full Back and in both Centre positions in Huddersfield’s second division, Championship-winning side. Playing in all 33 games and scoring 11 tries. He was a virtual ever-present in the side, playing 36 games in 1975/76 from a maximum possible of 37 as Huddersfield returned to the Second division in 1976/77 and 27 games in the following season from a possible 32.

He was captain of the 1977/78 Huddersfield side that won promotion to the First Division after finishing in fourth spot in the Second Division, playing in 34 games and scoring 12 tries.

In 1980/81, Huddersfield, with Leathley an ever-present playing at Right Centre in 34 games and scoring 14 tries, they narrowly missed out on a Yorkshire Cup spot, losing 13 - 17 to Leeds and also finishing the season just out of the promotion places in fifth, spot two points behind Whitehaven.

He was the master of the interception try, showing extraordinary anticipation and a remarkable turn of speed in setting up tries, not just making them for himself but for his wingman Peter Cramp.

One match in particular stood out as an example of his speed off the mark - a second round Yorkshire Cup victory over then champions Bradford Northern at Fartown on 24 August 1980. It was a stunning upset with Trevor, in his role as captain, leading by example. He gave a copybook performance of centre play, scoring two brilliant interception tries in a 20 - 13 win.

Leathley showed a remarkable record of consistency during in his thirteen years with Huddersfield, recording the most consecutive appearances for Huddersfield. Two players vie for this record. Ernie Mills began a run of 122 games on 28 December 1929, being completed on 3 September 1932. Leathley, however, between 21 August 1977 and 11 April 1982 - in a league match at Halifax - completed 169 consecutive games for Huddersfield, unfortunately it was also his last in the 1981/82 season.

Also included in that run were the Charity Match with Halifax pre-season August 1977, plus two team selections as substitute - the games against Featherstone Rovers on 22 October 1978 and Whitehaven on 7 October 1979.

On 1 January 1983 the 'sin bin' was introduced for domestic games. Leathley and Clive Pickerill of Wakefield Trinity hold the distinction of being the first players sent to the 'bin' by referee Bernard Walker.

In 1983/84 Trevor was rewarded for his loyalty to Huddersfield by sharing a joint testimonial with hooker Derek Wroe. Trevor’s last game for Huddersfield was at right centre at Blackpool on 11 May 1986. He played in 380 (plus 23 sub) games and scored 110 tries.

Trevor will be remembered with fondness by all who played with him and all those that watched him play.  Our thoughts are with Trevor’s family and friends at this difficult time.