Robert Angus Valentine (1941 – 2024)

Huddersfield Giants would like to honour the passing of former player Rob (Bob) Valentine. 

Robert was a Sottish native and learnt his trade playing Rugby Union in his hometown of Hawick, at that time the Hawick club were the Scottish Champions. Coming from good Rugby pedigree Bob’s brother Dave played Rugby League for Huddersfield and Captained Great Britain whilst brother Alec played Rugby Union for Scotland.

A successful flanker in the Union game he played for the South of Scotland team against the All blacks in 1963 before agreeing terms with Huddersfield RLFC the week after. 

Valentine made his debut for Huddersfield against Widnes in an 8 pts to 2 win on 14thDecember 1963. Throughout the 1960’s he became a very valuable member of the pack playing mostly at Second Row or Loose Forward with his copybook tackling becoming a prominent feature. 

Having represented an “Other Nationalities” side at St Helens in 1965 his form was such that in December 1967 he earned a call up to the Great Britain side to play the touring Australians, featuring at Second Row at Station Rd, Swinton, the tourists unfortunately won that day 11 pts to 3. In that same season he helped the fartowners to a challenge Cup Semi-Final going down 10 pts – 15 in a replay at Headingley scoring one of Huddersfield’s two tries. 

Valentine was a loyal servant to Huddersfield spending seven years at the club before joining Wakefield Trinity in 1970. His last game in the Claret and Gold was at home in the Second Row against Salford in October 1970. He had made 168 appearances for Huddersfield scoring 19 tries and kicking 4 goals.

After stints with Wakefield and Keighley Bob retired from professional Rugby League and returned to Rugby Union and Huddersfield with the YMCA club. Having lived just a stonethrow from the old Fartown ground for years, he returned to live out his years in his hometown of Hawick.

Our thoughts are with Roberts' family.

Heritage Number 715.