TVOC : Wed Mar 04, 2009 9:18 pm  

What can you tell me about Keith Hepworth ? Or any links to info on him please ?

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:11 pm  

Keith Hepworth's Castleford record Here While at Leeds: Played 165 + 12, Tries 34, Goals 5, Points 112 Leeds debut: 30/10/71 V Salford After 5 seasons at Leeds he went to Hull where he helped secure the final Floodlit Trophy for the Boulevard club 15 years after he had helped Castleford win the first. He is featured in the 100 Greats of Leeds Rugby League Football Club.

Keith Hepworth's Castleford record Here While at Leeds: Played 165 + 12, Tries 34, Goals 5, Points 112 Leeds debut: 30/10/71 V Salford After 5 seasons at Leeds he went to Hull where he helped secure the final Floodlit Trophy for the Boulevard club 15 years after he had helped Castleford win the first. He is featured in the 100 Greats of Leeds Rugby League Football Club.

: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:34 pm  

Thankyou very much . It was the Leeds bit that i was most interested in . I found the Cas bit and read about his history there , but could find very little about his time at Leeds .
I met him when he came in to my place of work last year , a day or two before the Grand final , and had a chat about rugby in general . I must admit that although I knew of him I knew very little about him . He wished me (and the Rhinos ) all the best for the final .
On the following Monday morning he phoned in to say that he had seen me at the match . I said he should have come over and said hello . He replied that he would have if he hadn't been sat in his local club watching , and I was on the telly .
A true gent , and an absolute pleasure to have met him . Had some great tales to tell about his experiences in the sport . and I can honestly say that I have never heard anyone else describe Roy Dicko as a 'young slip of a lad' lol
Who was the coach when Keith and Roy were in the same team ?

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 9:56 am  

I am sure I saw Hepworth playing for Bramley - circa 1979/1980

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 10:02 am  

LS13 wrote:

Who was the coach when Keith and Roy were in the same team ?

derek turner would have been one of them i'd have guessed?

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 12:36 pm  

LS13 wrote:

Who was the coach when Keith and Roy were in the same team ?

Due to Roy Dickinson's debut been late in the 1973/74 season it probably came in Eric Ashton's single season at Headingley. That was followed by a year under Roy Francis back at Leeds before handing on to Syd Hynes initially as player coach prior to his retirement. Something along those lines.

: Thu Mar 05, 2009 11:54 pm  

charley.. i will call him and ask about bramley . i just wanted some info so as i dont seem too ignorant about his history when i talk to him . i knew that he was in a winning side in the yorkshire cup , and represented his country a time or two . I also knew he was a bit of a legend at cas.. What i didnt know was what he did for leeds . I cant wait for next time i bump into dicko to ask him about some of the things i been told about him

: Fri Mar 06, 2009 7:31 am  

Its impossible to describe today what it meant as a Leeds supporter to sign the golden pair of half-backs from the Castleford team of the early 70's, Hepworth and Hardisty, anyone who has only followed Superleague cannot possibly comprehend what it was like to have a Castleford team like that one on your doorstep, a Castleford team that could actually win matches and was in danger of beating you every time you played them, to sign their two stars was simply incomprehensible.

tvoc : Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:09 am  

If it wasnt for the terrible injury Shoebottom got Leeds wouldnt have signed either of them if I remember Hardisty came in to replace Shoebottom.

: Fri Mar 06, 2009 9:54 am  

LS13 wrote:

i will call him and ask about bramley .

Keith definately finished his career at Bramley still playing into his forties apparently.

McLaren_Field wrote:

a Castleford team that could actually win matches and was in danger of beating you every time you played them, to sign their two stars was simply incomprehensible.

Indeed so and one of the best £4,000 Leeds ever spent.

'Heppy' arrived first with Hardisty joining 3 months later. Heppy's first game against his once beloved Cas saw him break their hearts with a two try display in a 1 point victory for Leeds.

LS13 wrote:

i just wanted some info so as i dont seem too ignorant about his history when i talk to him .

A brief recap of Keith Hepworth's time at Leeds concentrating on the finals.

1971/72. Leeds topped the regular season. Lost in the CC Final at Wembley where Heppy's clearance kick was charged down by Saints prop Rees (who scored the try) and Leeds were behind before the official kick off time had been reached. He then missed out in the victorius Championship Final a week later at Swinton against the same opponents through injury (Leeds last win prior to 2004 ended the 32 year wait.).

1972/73. Helped Leeds win the Yorkshire Cup in the Odsal final V Dewsbury after Leeds had come through a terrific struggle in the 1st round at the Boulevard with Heppy in the thick of it. Leeds went on to win the John Player Trophy for the first time at Fartown V Salford with Heppy picking up the Man Of The Match award. Disappointment and surprise ended the season though as Leeds failed to defend their Championship (from 3rd) in the final at Odsal V Dewsbury. Heppy finished the season with the Leeds Player Of the Season Award.

1973/74. Heppy picked up the White Rose Trophy as Man Of The Match in the Yorkshire Cup Final at Headingley V Wakefield. Heppy again took their annual Player of the season award such was his consistency and all action, fearless style.

1974/75. Another final, another win, another Man Of The Match performance. This time in the inaugural end of season Premiership Trophy at Central Park V St Helens.

1975/76/77. Time and injuries were catching up with Heppy now so Leeds brought in Peter Banner from Featherstone and introduced Chris Sanderson from the juniors. Heppy was transferred to Hull during the 76/77 season.