Harold Buck

Harold Buck
Occupation	Rugby league footballer
Years active	1910s–1920s
Known for	First rugby league player to command a £1,000 transfer fee; played for Hunslet, Leeds, and Bradford Northern

Harold Buck was a professional rugby league athlete from England who competed during the 1910s and 1920s. His club career included playing for both Hunslet and Leeds as a .

Biography

Buck initiated his rugby league journey with Hunslet, making his first appearance in November 1912.

In a landmark transfer during November 1921, Buck became the first rugby league player to command a fee of £1,000 when he moved from Hunslet to Leeds. His inaugural match for Leeds took place on 5 November 1921 against Wigan at Headingley. Throughout nearly 100 games representing Leeds, he accumulated 72 tries and 15 goals, amassing a total of 246 points. Playing as part of the , Buck contributed a try in Leeds' commanding 28–3 triumph over Hull F.C. during the 1922–23 Challenge Cup Final held at Belle Vue, notable for being the sole occasion the final occurred at that venue. The Leeds backline of the early 1920s earned the moniker "Busy Bs," comprising players such as Jim Bacon, Arthur Binks, Billy Bowen, Joe Brittain, alongside Harold Buck.

In 1924, Buck participated in a Great Britain trial match ahead of the 1924 Great Britain Lions tour, although he was ultimately not selected for the touring squad.

Following a short stint with Bradford Northern, he rejoined Hunslet in January 1925.

Outside rugby league

Together with his wife Florrie (née Fox), Buck operated The Coburg Tavern located at the intersection of Woodhouse Lane and Claypit Lane in Leeds, where he served as landlord.