One of the greatest goalkicking fullbacks


One of the greatest goalkicking fullbacks


Bryan Leason  My top player


During my seven decades of watching Rovers I have had many favourite players but my first was Cyril Kellett. His Heritage number is 605.

Although not blessed with great pace his positional sense was very good. He timed his tackles brilliantly. I remember one game against Halifax when John Freeman, a very fast winger, intercepted a ball near to his own try line and set off close to the touch line. Kellett who had been up with attack, tracked the winger back and as Freeman went to dive in at the corner, he timed his tackle to perfection putting him into touch.

Cyril was an accomplished goal kicker and held Rovers record for the most goals in a season for many years.

He played his first game for Rovers on 27th October 1956 and his last on 17th November 1967. In total he played 382 times kicking 1194 goals and scoring 35 tries. His points total of 2493 was a Club record until beaten by Mike Fletcher.

He kicked more than 100 goals in a season seven times. In his second season he kicked 128 goals breaking the clubs 47-year-old record. He then surpassed his own record in 1962/63 and again in 1966/67 season. He was the first Rovers player to kick 100 goals before Christmas in 1962/63 and was the rugby leagues top goal kicker in 1964/65 with 150.

Cyril Kellett was one of the greatest goalkicking fullbacks ever to play Rugby League making him my top player from that period.


Typical kicking style of Cyril Kellett

Typical kicking style of Cyril Kellett