Billy Rhodes (rugby league)


William Rhodes was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1910s and 1920s, and coached in the 1920s through to the 1950s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Dewsbury, as a, and later as a, i.e. number 2 or 5, or, 8 or 10, and coached at club level for Castleford.

Playing career

International honours

Billy Rhodes won caps for England while at Dewsbury in 1921 against Wales, and Other Nationalities.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Billy Rhodes played, i.e. number 2, and scored two tries in Dewsbury's 8-5 victory over Oldham in the 1911–12 Challenge Cup Final during the 1911-12 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 27 April 1912 in front of a crowd of 16,000, and played right-, i.e. number 10, in the 2-13 defeat by Wigan in the 1928–29 Challenge Cup Final during the 1928–29 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 4 May 1929, in front of a crowd of 41,500.

Coaching career

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Billy Rhodes was the coach in Castleford's 11-8 victory over Huddersfield in the 1934–35 Challenge Cup Final during the 1934–35 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 4 May 1935, in front of a crowd of 39,000.

Club career

Billy Rhodes was the coach of Castleford on four occasions; 1926–27 season to 1928, 1932 to 1951, 1952 to November 1953, and December 1957 to 1958, his first game in charge was on Saturday 28 August 1926, and his last game in charge was on Wednesday 23 April 1958.