Arthur Atkinson (rugby league)

Arthur Atkinson
Born	Template:Birth date Castleford, England
Died	1963
Occupation	Rugby league player
Years active	1925–1940
Known for	Rugby league centre for Castleford, England, and Great Britain; Castleford captain; record for longest successful goal kick (disputed)

Arthur Atkinson (born 5 April 1906, died 1963), known by the nickname Bruss, was a professional English rugby league player predominantly active from 1925 until 1940. Throughout his career, he played primarily as a , representing Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire at the representative level. At club level, he was a key figure for Castleford, where he also held the position of captain.

Atkinson is often credited with holding the world record for the longest successful goal kick in rugby history, having scored a penalty from during Castleford’s 20-10 victory over St. Helens at Knowsley Road on 26 October 1929. This claim, however, is disputed by England and Cumberland forward Martin Hodgson, who is reported to have kicked a penalty goal from for Swinton in a match against Rochdale Hornets at the Athletic Grounds, Rochdale, on 13 April 1940.

Club career

Standing , Arthur Atkinson began playing rugby at age 17 after William Asquith introduced him by taking him to observe Castleford training sessions. After being noticed by Walter Smith, a Castleford official, Atkinson quickly progressed to the club’s A-Team, where he proved to be a prolific scorer. He signed as a junior player in August 1925 for a fee of £5. Initially deployed in multiple positions, he secured the role of Castleford’s regular full-back for three seasons before transitioning permanently to centre by 1929.

In August 1928, Atkinson requested to be transferred but ultimately stayed with Castleford when his younger brother Joseph joined the squad in 1929. Around 1930, Atkinson assumed captaincy and led the team to clinch the Yorkshire County League title during the 1932–33 season. That campaign was marked by six doubles and an unbeaten home record except for one loss against York. Castleford replicated this triumph in the 1938–39 season; however, Atkinson missed much of that year due to a leg injury that required surgical intervention.

A benefit match was organized in February 1934 to honor Atkinson's tenth season with Castleford, although he was unable to participate fully due to injury. As captain playing at right-centre, he successfully kicked a conversion in Castleford’s narrow 11-8 win over Huddersfield in the 1935 Challenge Cup final held at Wembley Stadium before an audience of 39,000. Soon after this achievement, he was dismissed early in a match during the opening stages of the 1935–36 season.

In December 1940, Atkinson enlisted in the Royal Air Force. His total of 431 appearances places him joint-second on Castleford’s all-time appearance leaderboard behind John Joyner’s record of 613 matches. Additionally, Atkinson has been inducted into the Castleford Tigers Hall of Fame.

County honours

Artie Atkinson earned several caps representing Yorkshire as a centre between 1929 and 1936. Among his notable contributions were tries and conversions in victories over Lancashire, Glamorgan & Monmouth, and Cumberland at venues including Wakefield Trinity and Halifax. His performances featured prominently in key fixtures such as Yorkshire’s 25-15 triumph against Lancashire in 1930 and their commanding 30-3 win over Lancashire in 1932.

International honours

Atkinson played for England against teams such as Other Nationalities (1929–30), Wales (1931–32), Australia (1933), and France (1936). He also gained caps for Great Britain, appearing in seven tests versus Australia between 1929 and 1936 and three tests against New Zealand during their 1932 tour. In addition, he was selected for England in their match against Wales in 1936.

Recalling his debut Test match in November 1929, Atkinson remarked on the heightened intensity and superior skill level encountered at international fixtures compared to club contests. Prior to embarking on the 1932 tour of Australia, he received financial gifts and gold items from Castleford’s directors and supporters as tokens of appreciation. Following his return from the tour, the local town council hosted a civic reception in his honor.

During the Australasian tour of 1936, Atkinson contributed weekly reports published by the Yorkshire Evening Post alongside fellow rugby figures Jim Brough and Harry Sunderland, providing enhanced media coverage of the event.

Personal life

On 16 November 1932, Atkinson wed Winifred Dix and concurrently acquired the Keel Inn located in Castleford. In 1937, following a police inspection that uncovered alcohol sales beyond permitted hours, Winifred was penalized with a fine, whereas Atkinson’s charges were dropped after he covered the court expenses.

Atkinson, who occasionally participated in cricket, made an unsuccessful bid as an independent candidate for the Castleford council in 1938. He placed fourth in the Wheldale ward, trailing behind three Labour Party contenders.

See also

• List of Castleford Tigers players

References

Notes

Citations

External links

• Search for Arthur Atkinson in the Memory Box at archive.castigersheritage.com