Eric Batten

Eric Batten
Personal information
Full name Frederick E. Batten
Born 13 June 1914
Sculcoates district
Died September 1993 (aged 79)
Playing information
Position Wing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1933–36 Wakefield Trinity 41 12 36
1938–43 Hunslet
1940–43 Wakefield Trinity (guest) 3 8 24
1944–≥48 Bradford Northern 233 165
≥1948–51 Leeds
1951–54 Featherstone Rovers 101 60
Total 378 245 0 0 60
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1938–48 England 13 6 0 18
1946–47 Great Britain 4 1 0 3
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1950s Featherstone Rovers
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org englandrl.co.uk

Frederick E. "Eric" Batten (13 June 1914[1] – September 1993) birth registered in Sculcoates district, was an English dustman in the cleansing department for Hemsworth Rural District council, and professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s, and coach of the 1950s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Hunslet, Wakefield Trinity (Heritage #393), Bradford Northern, Leeds and Featherstone Rovers, as a Wing, i.e. number 2 or 5, and coaching at club level for Featherstone Rovers. Eric Batten appeared in eight Challenge Cup finals, five for Bradford Northern, two for Leeds, and one for Featherstone Rovers, he scored a total of 443 tries during his career,[2] he died in Leeds.

Playing career

Club Career (Wakefield)

Eric Batten started his rugby career at Sandal RUFC before signing for Wakefield Trinity in September 1933. He made his debut on 30 September 1933 away at Bradford Northern (Trinity winning 9-3). He played 41 games for Trinity before moving to Hunslet in September 1936 for £400. He scored 12 tries in those games, including a hat trick against Hull KR in March 1936. During the war years, Eric returned to Trinity as a guest player, playing two games in May 1940 and one February 1943. In these three wartime games he scored eight tries, including four against Huddersfield in May 1940, making his club total 20 tries in 44 appearances

International honours

Eric Batten won caps for England while at Hunslet in 1938 against Wales, in 1939 against France, and Wales, in 1940 against Wales, in 1941 against Wales, in 1943 against Wales, while at Bradford in 1944 against Wales, in 1945 against Wales (2 matches), in 1946 against France (2 matches), and Wales, in 1947 against France, in 1948 against France,[3] and won caps for Great Britain while at Bradford in 1946 against Australia (2 matches), New Zealand, and in 1947 against New Zealand.[4]

Championship final appearances

Eric Batten played Right-Centre, i.e. number 2 in Hunslet's 8-2 victory over Leeds in the Championship final during the 1937–38 at Elland Road on Saturday 30 April 1938.[5] an played in Bradford Northern's 26-20 aggregate victory over Halifax in the Championship final during the 1944–45 season; the 2-9 defeat at Thrum Hall, Halifax, and the 24-11 victory at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

Challenge Cup Final Appearances

Eric Batten played in Bradford Northern's 8-3 aggregate victory over Wigan in the 1944 Challenge Cup final during the 1943–44 season; the 0-3 defeat at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 15 April 1944, and the 8-0 victory at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 22 April 1944, the 9-13 aggregate defeat by Huddersfield in the 1945 Challenge Cup final during the 1944–45 season; the 4-7 defeat at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield, and the 5-6 defeat at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, the 8-4 victory over Leeds in the 1947 Challenge Cup final during the 1946–47 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 3 May 1947, played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2 in the 3-8 defeat by Wigan in the 1948 Challenge Cup final during the 1947–48 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1948,[6] and played Wing in Featherstone Rovers' 10-18 defeat by Workington Town in the 1952 Challenge Cup final during the 1951–52 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 19 April 1952.

Other notable matches

Eric Batten played Right-Wing for a Rugby League XIII against Northern Command XIII at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 21 March 1942.[7]

Notable tour matches

Eric Batten played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2 in Wakefield Trinity's 6-17 defeat by Australia during the 1933–34 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 28 October 1933.

Genealogical Information

Eric Batten was the son of the rugby league footballer Billy Batten. Eric Batten's marriage to Annie Saxton was registered during January→March 1937 in Wakefield district.[8] They had children; John Michael Batten (birth registered July→September 1940 in Hemsworth district) (marriage registered in February 1966 in Dewsbury district to Anne June Blakeley, they had children; Paul Michael Batten (birth registered July→September 1969 (age 46–47)

in Leeds district)), Jeremy Mark Batten, and Julie Anne Batten (born (1973-05-03) 3 May 1973), Janet Batten (birth registered January→March 1951 (age 64–65)

in Hemsworth district), and Gaynor Batten (birth registered April→June 1953 (age 62–63)

in Hemsworth district).

References

  1. ↑ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Eric Batten & Freddy Miller". Great Players – Great Games. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. ↑ "Club History, Facts and Figures". Yorkshire Evening Post. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. ↑ "1947–1948 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  7. ↑ "inside programme, Northern Command v. A Rugby League XIII, 1942". rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  8. ↑ "Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.

External links

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