Billy Belshaw


William Belshaw was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Liverpool Stanley, Warrington and Wigan, as a goal-kicking, or, i.e. number 1, or, 3 or 4.

Playing career

Club career

At club level, Belshaw played for Liverpool Stanley until 1937, when he was signed by Warrington for a record fee of £1,450,. He went on to make 132 appearances for Warrington. He also appeared for Wigan as a World War II guest player.

International honours

Billy Belshaw, won caps for England while at Liverpool Stanley in 1935 against Wales, in 1936 against Wales, in 1937 against France, while at Warrington in 1938 against France, and Wales, in 1939 against France, and Wales, in 1940 against Wales, in 1941 against Wales, in 1943 against Wales, in 1945 against Wales, and won caps for Great Britain while at Liverpool Stanley in 1936 against Australia, and New Zealand, in 1937 against Australia, while at Warrington, and in 1937 against Australia.

County honours

Billy Belshaw played, and scored 2-goals in Lancashire's 7-5 victory over Australia in the 1937–38 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France match at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington on Wednesday 29 September 1937, in front of a crowd of 16,250.

Championship Final appearances

Billy Belshaw played right-, i.e. number 3, and scored a goal in Wigan's 13-9 victory over Dewsbury in the Championship Final first-leg during the 1943–44 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 13 May 1944, and played right- in the 12-5 victory over Dewsbury in the Championship Final second-leg during the 1943–44 season at Crown Flatt, Dewsbury on Saturday 20 May 1944.

Other notable matches

Billy Belshaw played and was captain for a Rugby League XIII against Northern Command XIII at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 21 March 1942.