marklaspalmas Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 Through the wonders of the internet (facebook and twitter), I found out that two Featherstone players have their birthday today. Coincidentally I got to meet both of them recently, which is unusual for me as I hardly know any players or ex-players at all. The first birthday boy, looking as young as he ever did, is Peter Smith. It hardly requires any words from me to describe the stature of this man’s achievements at our club and in the sport in general. But if words were necessary, then Immortal, Legend, All-time Great, are all appropriate to describe a back-rower who gave everything to our club over almost 20 years. He played over 400 games, won the League Championship and the Challenge Cup, played and toured for Great Britain. He was the best tackler I ever saw and scored over 100 tries for the club as a back row forward. He overcame crippling injuries to continue his career and was always an exemplary sportsman, rarely, if ever, giving away a penalty. The other birthday boy, a year or two younger, is not a Featherstone lad, and had probably never heard of the place growing up in Sydney. He played for St.George and Parramatta and arrived here in January. Chances are he will be on his way at the end of the year. But Cameron King has been our best player and onfield organiser this year. He’s a charismatic leader who has a positive effect on his team-mates. Not the biggest man, he has put his body on the line this year with some incredible tackling stints as well as being leading try scorer with his close range drives from acting half-back. I was invited to Peter’s house to interview him for a book I’m writing, and I briefly met Cam post-match when I asked him to pose for a photo with my nephew pitchside. Peter is such a knowledgeable, easy-going and modest man, it’s easy to forget just just how hard you have to be to reach the top level in rugby league. Cam came off the field, obviously shattered but with a smile on his face with all the time in the world and some kind words to absolutely make the day of a young Rovers fan (and his uncle). Two players who are part of the rich history of Featherstone Rovers RLFC. I love our club. https://www.fevarchive.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tubby Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 I’m fairly sure Deryck Fox’s birthday is today too. I only know because it’s mine as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blue Pike Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 One outstanding memory I have of Peter was when I went to Hull KR away in the early eighties when Hull were the Team and he broke through deep in our own half and with great pace scored a fantastic try which even had the KR fans applauding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADREDNIGE Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 He had many offers from other clubs Pete but remained loyal to Rovers, a TRUE legend indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Evans Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 Pete Smith..... still looks as fit as a lop. The word "great" is often overused and misused. Not in this case. A genuine rovers great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen T-k Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 3 hours ago, MADREDNIGE said: He had many offers from other clubs Pete but remained loyal to Rovers, a TRUE legend indeed. He went to Scarborough pirates didn’t he ?? Im Fev and im proud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maureen T-k Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 10 hours ago, Tubby said: I’m fairly sure Deryck Fox’s birthday is today too. I only know because it’s mine as well. Yes it was his birthday yesterday he was 55 Im Fev and im proud Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sentoffagain2 Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 11 hours ago, Tubby said: I’m fairly sure Deryck Fox’s birthday is today too. I only know because it’s mine as well. My daughter was mad over Deryck,her mate was a bit more selective she fancied Graham Steadman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Phantom Horseman Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 Pete Smith made a huge impression even from his early years at Fev, specifically our Championship season in 1976-77. Pete had long flowing hair back then, and in that particular year he was a try-scoring sensation - our leading try-scorer, in fact. As the years went by, the hair grew thinner (we'll gloss over that dodgy perm that he sported at one point), but the performances never wavered, he was Mr Reliable, an important part of attack and defence. He played in some of our best-ever teams and also some of our lesser ones, but you were never disappointed with Pete's performances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gittinsfan Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 1 hour ago, Maureen T-k said: Yes it was his birthday yesterday he was 55 In i999 former Batley player and groundsman Brian Cartwright published a book about his experiences.In it is a Batley team photo from1977/1978. The caption says"spot the international". Obviously it's not any of the players. The team mascot was Deryck Fox. Bet you didn't know he signed for Batley before Fev.lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklaspalmas Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 22 minutes ago, gittinsfan said: In i999 former Batley player and groundsman Brian Cartwright published a book about his experiences.In it is a Batley team photo from1977/1978. The caption says"spot the international". Obviously it's not any of the players. The team mascot was Deryck Fox. Bet you didn't know he signed for Batley before Fev.lol His dad John played for Batley for many years, so he will have grown up at the Mount. https://www.fevarchive.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gittinsfan Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 28 minutes ago, marklaspalmas said: His dad John played for Batley for many years, so he will have grown up at the Mount. We always hoped the family connection might persuade him to sign for Batley but no such luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MADREDNIGE Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 2 hours ago, Maureen T-k said: He went to Scarborough pirates didn’t he ?? Can't remember that but probably true then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklaspalmas Posted September 18, 2019 Author Share Posted September 18, 2019 25 minutes ago, MADREDNIGE said: Can't remember that but probably true then. Never doubt MTK. He was there 1991/92 over a year after retiring from Fev. https://www.fevarchive.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Les Tonks Sidestep Posted September 18, 2019 Share Posted September 18, 2019 22 minutes ago, marklaspalmas said: Never doubt MTK. He was there 1991/92 over a year after retiring from Fev. Played against us too - was still a tackling machine then Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jamescolin Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 Saw him at the old Victoria Garden centre (NoCutts) having lunch. Went over and we had an excellent chat. A great player. Took me three glances to recognise him but then the penny dropped. Saw him play throughout his Fev career. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklaspalmas Posted September 20, 2019 Author Share Posted September 20, 2019 On 18/09/2019 at 12:01, gittinsfan said: We always hoped the family connection might persuade him to sign for Batley but no such luck. Well, he did at the end of his career https://www.fevarchive.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gooleboy Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 On 18/09/2019 at 13:45, marklaspalmas said: Never doubt MTK. He was there 1991/92 over a year after retiring from Fev. I believe he played for them in a Yorkshire Cup Tie against Featherstone at POR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheYoungBaron Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 On 18/09/2019 at 12:18, MADREDNIGE said: Can't remember that but probably true then. Yes he played for Scarborough against Fev at POR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gittinsfan Posted September 20, 2019 Share Posted September 20, 2019 58 minutes ago, marklaspalmas said: Well, he did at the end of his career I fell out with the game for a while,so don't remember that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marklaspalmas Posted September 21, 2019 Author Share Posted September 21, 2019 11 hours ago, Gooleboy said: I believe he played for them in a Yorkshire Cup Tie against Featherstone at POR. Correct https://www.fevarchive.co.uk/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Posted September 26, 2019 Share Posted September 26, 2019 With you mentioning the players above, Mark, in my Memory Palace there are three players in the same room, Peter Smith, Keith Bell and John Newlove. All had vision, strength, a great pass and were the toughest of tacklers. All three were truly inspirational players. The Australian Rugby League Forum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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