Len Marson
Leonard "Len" Marson (22 August 1918 – December 1994[3]) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He played at representative level for England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Fitzwilliam Intermediates, Wakefield Trinity (Heritage № 451), and Hunslet, as a hooker or loose forward, i.e. number 9, or 13, during the era of contested scrums.[1]
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Full name | Leonard Marson | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | 22 August 1918 Hemsworth district, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Died | December 1994 (aged 76) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 12 st 6 lb (79 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Hooker, Loose forward | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
Len Marson's birth was registered in Hemsworth district, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he died aged 76.
Playing career
International honours
Len Marson won a cap for England while at Wakefield Trinity in 1949 against France.[2]
County Honours
Len Marson was selected for Yorkshire County XIII whilst at Wakefield Trinity during the 1947/48, 1948/49, 1949/50 and 1950/51 seasons.[4]
Challenge Cup Final appearances
Len Marson played hooker in Wakefield Trinity's 13-12 victory over Wigan in the 1946 Challenge Cup Final during the 1945–46 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 4 May 1946, in front of a crowd of 54,730.[5]
County Cup Final appearances
Len Marson played loose forward in Wakefield Trinity's 9-12 defeat by Featherstone Rovers in the 1940 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1939–40 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 22 June 1940, played hooker in the 2-5 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1945 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1945–46 season at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 3 November 1945, played hooker in the 10-0 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1946 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1946–47 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 31 November 1946, played hooker in the 7-7 draw with Leeds in the 1947 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1947–48 Northern season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 1 November 1947, and played hooker, and scored a try in the 8-7 victory over Leeds in the 1947 Yorkshire County Cup Final replay during the 1947–48 Northern season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 November 1947.
Club career
Len Marson made his début for Wakefield Trinity on Sunday 5 November 1939, he appears to have scored no drop-goals (or field-goals as they are currently known in Australasia), but prior to the 1974–75 season all goals, whether; conversions, penalties, or drop-goals, scored 2-points, consequently prior to this date drop-goals were often not explicitly documented, therefore '0' drop-goals may indicate drop-goals not recorded, rather than no drop-goals scored. In addition, prior to the 1949–50 season, the archaic field-goal was also still a valid means of scoring points.
Testimonial match
Len Marson's Testimonial match at Wakefield Trinity took place in 1951.
Contemporaneous article extract
"Joined Wakefield Trinity 1939 from Fitzwilliam Intermediates and played in various pack positions before taking over the hooking berth from Victor "Vic" Darlison. Gained Yorkshire County honours and was considered by many to be most unfortunate in not making at least one tour to Australia".[6]
Genealogical information
Len Marson's marriage to Maud (née Hepton) was registered during fourth ¼ 1939 in Hemsworth district[7] They had children; Stewart L. Marson (birth registered during second ¼ 1942 (age 78–79) in Hemsworth district), Maureen Marson (birth registered during first ¼ 1948 (age 72–73) in Hemsworth district), and David Marson (birth registered during second ¼ 1956 (age 64–65) in Lower Agbrigg district).
References
- "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- Marson, Leonard. "All England & Wales, Death Index, 1916-2007". All England & Wales, Death Index, 1916-2007. ancestry. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
- Lindley, John (1960). Dreadnoughts - A HISTORY OF Wakefield Trinity F. C. 1873 - 1960 [Page118]. John Lindley Son & Co Ltd. ISBN n/a
- Hoole, Les (2004). Wakefield Trinity RLFC - FIFTY GREAT GAMES. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-429-9
- Lindley, John (1960). Dreadnoughts - A HISTORY OF Wakefield Trinity F. C. 1873 - 1960. John Lindley Son & Co Ltd. ISBN n/a
- "Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.