Trevor Foster

Bradford and Wales rugby league legend

Born:

1914-2005

Place of Birth:

Newport

Famous For:

Bradford and Wales rugby league legend

Biography:

One of the most successful rugby players to "go north", becoming a legendary player, coach and saviour of Bradford Northern, Trevor Foster died in April 2005.

Tribute courtesy of the Wales Rugby League...

Trevor John French Foster, the son of a soldier and named after Field Marshall Sir John French, the army commander of World War One, was born at Newport in 1914.

Following experience in local junior rugby, he joined Newport RUFC in September 1937 and as a blind side wing forward was their leading try scorer in the 1937-38 season.

One year and one week later he played his last game before signing for Bradford Northern for £400.

In all he played 428 games for Bradford, usually as a second row forward and occasionally a loose forward.

Although he could do the hard work of a forward and would never shirk a tackle, he is best remembered for his attacking play as a running forward who could handle the ball as well as most backs.

In all first class games he scored 140 tries, a remarkable number for a forward, with 24 in one season (1947-48) of which six were scored in one game.

Trevor was the key forward of an outstanding Bradford side in the post war period, captained superbly from centre by his friend Ernest Ward, and containing many of the games legends including Welshmen Alan Edwards (wing), Willie Davies (standoff) and Frank Whitcombe (prop forward). Perhaps this team's greatest achievement was to reach the Challenge Cup Final in 1947, 1948 and 1949, winning the Cup twice in 1947 and 1949 with Trevor scoring late in each game.

His record in representative rugby was limited to three Great Britain caps, although he played 16 times for Wales, seven as captain.

He went on the Ashes winning tour of Australia in 1946 but following injury early in the tour he did not play in the Tests but did play in the only Test played against New Zealand.

Remarkably he played only twice more for Great Britain, in the Ashes winning Tests against Australia in 1948-49, scoring two tries in the first Test.

There is little doubt that the second World War limited his opportunities to play Test match rugby, for he would surely have been selected for the 1940 and 1944 trips down under.

Trevor Foster was known throughout the game for his sportsmanship and fair play. In his 17 year career he was never once cautioned or sent from the field.

Since his retirement in 1955 he remained a servant of the Bradford club as successively Coach, Director and Chairman of the Supporters Club and timekeeper for Super League home games.

Perhaps his greatest service came in 1963 when the club disbanded, unable to fulfill its fixtures.

He then led efforts to reconstitute the club which was able to rejoin the league the following season. Without his work it is unlikely that the club would exist today.

Awarded the MBE in 2001, Trevor was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.

He died on Saturday 2 April 2005 at the age of 90 following a short illness.

Moment of Glory:

Scoring tries which helped Bradford lift the Challenge Cup in 1947 and 1949

your comments

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John Lawler now living in Cambridge
When I was 14 I played against him - he played for the teachers against the senior 15 at Edmund Campion. Every time I tackled him he said well played boy, even though he could have swatted me like a fly - a true gentleman. Mind you a few weeks later when he was Mr Foster the boardman and he caught me slamming school it was a bit different as he took me home and told my mother.

Bruce Steel fron Ripponden
A great rugby player but more importantly a great, modest gentleman who was always friendly and always prepared to help. No matter how insignificant you were, Trevor, in his kindly way, would always treat you as an equal.

Bob Atkins, Newport RFC
A true gentleman of both union and league and a sportsman we in Newport are proud of. If you read his book, out just before he died, you will know what I mean.

John Tudor from Bradford
Having known Trevor since 1988, I can honestly say my awe for his dedication and commitment to any task he felt worth pursuing, never once faltered. He was a giant of a personality. He is missed in the RL world, in Bradford and at Odsal Stadium. Eventually we hope to have a lasting memorial to Trevor to ensure that future generations will have some idea what he meant to many people.

Judith, Leeds
When I was in my teens in the late 50's and early 60's, I used to go to Odsal every home match to watch "the Northern". We came across Trevor Foster and asked him for his autograph. He said "Oh, you don't want mine, you should ask these boys", but gave us it anyway. Bearing in mind the Northern were languishing at the bottom of the table, it shows what a modest, kind man he was. I will never forget him.

Jack from Cardiff
I met him when Bradford brought the Cup to Belle Vue [Manchester] in 1947. I was only 8 then so I could not appreciate what a fine human being he was. In recent years I met him several times including at Bradford old players dinners. For me he represented the absolute pinnacle of our game. A great Welshman and the saviour of the Bradford Club.

Dave Bold from London
Wonderful man - a true Rugby League Legend, he will be missed by all who knew him.

Jean Cazenave from Bordeaux
A great League man! Captained the Welsh RL team after the WW2 v France. He was also included in the British "Rugby" team (League and Union soldiers) versus a French XV in 1940. Respect from French RL friends.

Colin Thomson from Bridgend
As a youngster in 1944 my Saturdays were spent at Odsal watching my heroes descending down the long drop to the field below. Led by Ernest Ward and followed by Trevor two of the most imposing figures you could meet. Trevor was one of the first forwards I can remember who didn't get his head down and try to blast his way through. He was a skillful ball handler with a deceptive turn of speed and a regular try scorer. I well remember him and Joe Phillips, another popular figure, holding the meeting in Bradford to restart the defunct Northern. Last of all is seeing him hold the Challenge Cup when the Bulls won in Edinburgh. A great man who is one of the greatest rugby players Wales ever produced.

James, Swansea
A truly great man and a great loss to Wales, Bradford and rugby of both codes.

Ian Golden, Chairman, Cardiff Demons RLFC
I had the pleasure of dining with the great man at Cardiff City Hall in 2004 when he was inducted into the Welsh Sports Hall of Fame. This was a memorable evening and I found him to be nothing less than a perfect gentleman and a teller of many great stories about the game. My heart-felt condolences go out to his family and friends. He is a man who I'm sure will be missed by all who knew him.

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