Forward by Karen Ratcliffe At the beginning of the lock down a number of “Dream Teams” started to appear across our rugby pages. I asked my dad to write one, who grumbled a bit (as is his way nowadays!) but took to the task and produced more than I thought he would. His Dream Team spans many generations of friends and childhood heroes from both codes of rugby. He does say that you would have to be fairly ancient to remember a lot of the players, but I have put links where I can, to the player’s biographies. If it gives a few of you something to read, and hopefully enjoy, in this time of uncertainty, he will be pleased. Introduction My dad is Don Bramley 86 years old this year. Farmer, photographer, author, writer of letters, historian, ex-rugby player, adventurer and so much more. You will see him, most Saturday afternoons at the rugby club, camera in hand, taking pictures and chatting to anyone that will listen to him. He can’t remember what he told me the other day, but his recollection of stories, events and people is, phenomenal. He has written a diary since he started school in 1945; we have boxes and boxes full of photographs and a similar amount of interviews with local people, with a tale to tell, recorded on C60 cassettes, and nearly 150 scrapbooks of newspaper clippings and photographs. Plus another 100+ of rugby, cricket, Sherburn church, flying, farming and Drax. I don’t think our family connections are as big as the Adamsons, but here goes in a nutshell. My dad, Roy Webster and Peter Bramley (who have all played for Selby) each married one of the three Walker sisters (Pat, Joyce & Nina - watched closely by brother Les). Their sons also played for Selby, and now a good selection of grandchildren also play there too. The following is his abridged introduction to the Walker family and where our rugby connections come from. Written 10th March 2019 I am a great believer in breeding from the best stock. Farming blood runs through the generations on all sides from way back, but the rugby blood is more complicated, and these are my thoughts. I’m sure I was never consulted in 1945 on my thoughts about spending my next six years as a boarder at Drax Grammar School at the other side of Selby, and now at the other side of a huge power station (The Read School, Drax). It turned out to be a good decision in many ways. One was the many lifelong friends (and fellow sufferers) I made, but mainly I discovered . I was fairly useless at Sherburn Hungate School at the odd attempt to try and play football up at the White Rose ground. All new boys at Drax were in the same boat, and we all had an early introduction to a rugby ball. Being put into pairs, to run up and down to pass and catch it, must have come naturally to me, as I was picked out to demonstrate my unknown skills, which I was very much unaware of! It was later explained, that I had moved away from the receiver as I passed the ball – so a good start. Six years at Drax slipped by, helped by rugby education, u13’s, Colts, House matches, 1st XV then Draxonians till joining Selby in 1954 and on and off till 1962, when a knee injury finished me off. But going back to blood and breeding. The only rugby blood in my ancestors, was Uncle Fred Roberts (my mother’s brother) of Fairburn, playing for Brotherton St Johns and signing for Hull Kingston Rovers for £200 and buying a motor bike with it! He was flattened, I’m told, by Billy Batten in his second game and never played again! Sadly I never got to talk to him about it. My father, Jim, was a good footballer in the 20’s with Church Fenton, but spent more time on his bike in 25 and 100 mile time trials. He also biked to and raced at Roundhay Park and once did 1,200 miles touring Europe – all well recorded. Both his parents died in 1932 so he had to settle down, work and get married. I arrived in 1934. I now admit that many other various talents passed on to the grandchildren, must come from my wife’s Walker side.

July 2020 v3 1 Her grandmother – Fanny Swaine – was the eldest of the Makin horse jumping family and her father, Les, was 2 years on United’s books, but didn’t get into the first team. Polio in 1947 ended that, so he took up golf at Selby, and I’m told he made up for lack of strength and length, by tactics and cunning. Les and his wife Jessie, lived in Hambleton and had four children, Pat, Joyce, young Les and Nina. His son inherited his golfing skills by playing for but was unsuccessful in Yorkshire finals. He used to travel the country as an Amateur selector. Sister Nina and her friend won the North of England u18s golf but she never played again and married another talented Selby rugby player, Peter (no Bramley relation to us); sons David and William. Joyce, also a keen golfer, married Selby player Roy Webster and produced three rugby playing sons Mark (sons Alex, Jacob & Lucas), John and Robert so it’s all kept in the family. Pat and her mother Jessie were both good tennis players. Pat had many enjoyable years with Sherburn in the York Senior League. Our son, Martin, seems to be the blood connection between the talents of various sporting oldies, and the present day game. Like me, he was sent to a Colditz like mansion, Howsham Hall near York, without any consultation at 9 years old, but great rugby for us for three years coached by Simon and Anthony Knock. Martin’s three children, James, Charles & William, all play rugby and cricket for various teams, and the weekend is a big challenge getting them to their different fixtures. My middle daughter Karen’s youngest Honor, is a founder member of Selby Girls’ team and continues next season in the Ladies team. You will also find Honor serving behind the bar in the Clubhouse! I know their cricket talent doesn’t come from me, except may be the catching, ? I do worry about injury at rugby for one of them, might affect their cricket prospects. I am told their grandfather, George Moorhouse, says he was a good tennis player and was 13th man for England v India at Headingly once. He had two days fielding at fine leg and signed 24 autographs in the process. Where are they now My Dream Team My Dreamboat Selby side, comes from the last 75 years, of playing and watching. Starting at the old Drax Grammar School in 1945-50 (now The Read School). My playing time at Selby was 1954-62. I supported Rugby League ( Trinity) in the holidays, and writing for autographs passed the time at school. Trinity’s 18 year old QEGS winger at Wembley in 1946 was my lucky one. Ron Rylance, could actually write a letter, saying he’d played at Drax, and later he had biked to Sherburn. My Selby side is on the left, and Other Nationalities on the right, followed by a bit of an explanation. They would train together and share knowledge! Selby XV Other Nationalities 15 D Oliver Grieveson Bert Cook – Leeds and NZ 14 Derek Hodgson John Ranson –Durham & England Wing 13 D Ron Chambers – & England 12 D Alex Webster Ron Rylance – RL Wakefield Tr, & England 11 D Mike Swift Lionel Cooper – RL Huddersfield & Aus or -Warrington & Aus 10 James Bramley – Cardiff & Wales 9 Nipper McGill Herbert Goodfellow – RL & England 8 D George Woodall George Zissler – Darlington/Durham 7 D Don Bramley (c) Derek Hinds – Burn 6 Len Shaw Maro Itoje – Saracens & England 5 Pres Ken Holden – Yorks & Doncaster Arthur Clues – RL Leeds & Aus 4 Peter & Steve Bramley Fred Roberts – Brotherton St Johns & Hull KR 3 Doug Forsyth Eric Burns- Selby 2 D PW Zoz Mumby, Mike Blackwell & – Northampton & England John Kaye 1 David Grace Peter Francis – Maesteg & Wales

Subs: D Jimmy Moore & Peter Foster Touch Judge: Jack Harker D marks those that went to Read School, Drax

July 2020 v3 2 No 15 Oliver Grieveson Best from Drax; Olly played for Headingley, Yorkshire and England trials. He was on the England committee with ex Yarnbury player, Roy Manock. Olly became Treasurer of the RFU but could have been President – Roy was! Bert Cook (HE) Leeds RL and NZ Small and always smiling. Best signature. Met him shooting over Drax Power Station land. We talked rugby league and listened to Winston Churchill’s funeral in his car over lunch. Later he sold us tiles for our kitchen floor and signed my now, nearly full, Visitor’s Book. Died too young of throat cancer. I walked with Lewis Jones into his funeral at Boston Spa.

No 14 Derek Hodgson Married to Uncle Fred’s daughter, Freda, showed great pace when he got a pass. Borrowed by Church Fenton Young Farmers, to help win 100 yards and relay in regional rally. I might have upset his watching Vicar for strong words I used, for not making sure his opposite number was in touch. Lucky to survive an explosion at his work in later life. John Ranson Durham & England wing. Came to Selby, worked for Guiness and was interested in our cattle. Seemed a good choice for our son’s Godfather, but sadly now moved on.

No 13 Ron Chambers Selby Bohemian soccer player with Olly G. Spent most of his time in South Africa. Played against Lions passing through. Jeff Butterfield Cleckheaton, Northampton & England. Jack Harker’s No 1 hero!

No 12 Alex Webster Star back of recent years. Injured too often! His Grandma, Joyce, second sister to produce Selby rugby cousins. Ron Rylance Wakefield Trinity. Super ballplayer and anywhere in the backs. Ex-QEGS and winger in the 1946 cup final. Moved to star studied Huddersfield via Dewsbury. At stand-off and with Aus Pat Devery at centre, they put Lionel Cooper in for 10 tries v Leeds. Also in England side that won the World Cup in France in 1954, but he never got a game. His son, Mike, has written extensively on rugby league, from national newspapers to magazines and yearbooks, both in Britain and France

No 11 Mike Swift Never seemed to get much ball, but scored some good tries in olden days. Worth his place for endless store of dirty ditties when coming home by bus!! Lionel Cooper (Huddersfield) or Brian Bevan (Warrington). Brian looked an old man when he started, but lasted 12 years.

No 10 James Bramley (aged 17) All three grandsons and their father started off at scrum half, and like me, will probably end up centre or back row. I’ve put James in with Cliff Morgan, to chat him up and learn from him. I’ve read Cliff Morgan’s book three times over the years, and each time I’ve underlined fresh bits of knowledge for them to, someday, hopefully take in. The last time I’ve added the words “this book should replace the Bible for No 10s”. Cliff Morgan - Cardiff & Wales Another hero and pen-pal of mine, Methodist and singer. Led the tuned-up singing Lions off the plane in South Africa 1955 and never looked back. Received treasured letters from him, from Isle of White, in later years. When he was ill, I sent him Gray’s Elegy. He said he had done it for his school certificate in 1947.

No 9 Nipper McGill Was long term No 9 when we amalgamated in 1954 and was always an inspiration during and after the game. Tony Longfield took over later and finished up starring at bowls!

July 2020 v3 3 Herbert Goodfellow - Wakefield Trinity. Good week in, week out! I walked into town from Belle Vue with Ron Rylance and him. A door step sitter asked “How about Wigan next week Bert?”. Bert replied “No problem, we will do ‘em”. Back at school, I passed on my inside information and the week after - Trinity 9 v Wigan 35!

No 8 George Woodall My hitchhiking and camping mate before we got married! England ATC and stopper of anyone who dodged behind me at openside. Now sits in his car watching on a Saturday afternoon, and I get the coffees and pork pies at half time. George Zissler Darlington Don’t know much about George, but he has to be in for the photo I have of him, Derek Hinds, and me wearing different Selby ties, talking to The Cliff Morgan at a lunch for David Duckham and John Spencer. We had been collected and driven by his friend, the big high kicking England standoff, Mike Weston. I also recorded Derek talking to Cliff in Welsh.

No 7 - Open Side Don Bramley (capt!) To try and make sure props and second rowers don’t play stand off for at least 10 brawls under the posts, and the wingers must get a pass now and again! Derek Hinds from Burn Welsh dairy farmer, married Thea to get into Yorkshire and Selby Club. Tremendous clubman. My close up of Cliff and him is on his mantlepiece!

No 6 - Blind Side Len Shaw A pit brickie. Always looked an old man. I can still remember and feel his tackle in the trials of ‘54, so want him on my side! Came on his motor-bike with Eric Burns behind. Big mate of Jack Harker. Maro Itoje He has to be in any team, in any position, but I have trouble pronouncing his name.

No 5 President Ken Holden Doncaster and Yorkshire. Douglas Bader’s Wing Leader in WWII. Another of my heroes and to stick with in London. Johnny Johnson (RAF pilot and flying ace) was my guest when I was Old Boy’s President. Sadly told mostly jokes. Arthur Clues Leeds RL and Australian stalwart. I went by train at 14 years old to watch other Nationalities v France in Hull. On the way, I heard the Leeds fans saying, they would be feeding Arthur his raw meat. But Frenchman Édourd Ponsinet, KO’d him in the first few minutes and Arthur was stretchered off with a broken jaw.

No 4 Peter Bramley (and Steve) Great forwards and Club men. Peter in for marrying my wife’s youngest sister, Nina, to produce another Selby player, David. Fred Roberts I’m not sure what position my mother’s brother, Fred Roberts, played and sadly I had very little talk with him. But I do know he signed for Hull KR from Brotherton St Johns in the late ‘20s for £200. Played 20 games on the wing, but was flattened in his first game by the famous, Billy Batten and never played again. He bought a good motorbike with his £200.

No 3 Vet Doug Forsyth in as a travelling Dr – this may be his first 1st XV team game?! John Kaye John Kaye could also help at prop but mainly for this photo with Boo in attencance. Eric Burns Understanding the front row was my weakness in two years of reffing, but Eric a hero, coming week-in, week-out, on the back of Len Shaw’s motor bike from Wakefield, helped me to understand what was going on.

No 2 Zoz (PW) Mumby – Burn & Drax lives at Burn. Not seen for years. We both went to Drax – Zoz to big school, me to Westfield at the other end of the village. We met at church for Sunday service and if Zoz got a Sunday paper he would slip it to me to read the sport in the sermon! When going out, instead of sneaking it under his coat, he was caught in the act of stuffing it into his pocket by future head, R S Adamson, known as King! He was clobbered outside the porch and told to report to his study first thing Monday morning for more – I ran all the way back to Westfield. Great

July 2020 v3 4 hooker in days when the ball went in the middle! Had very frizzy hair at school – not now! Could dribble a rugby ball like Stanley Matthews. Mike Blackwell in reserve. Most farmers sold Mike their corn at a good price Dylan Hartley - Northampton & England Long standing hooker and captain. Would have an easy job sorting this lot out! Hartley captained England to the Grand Slam in 2016.

No 1 David Grace Better at cricket maybe. Needed hitting early on to get him going at rugby. Enthusiastic singer, but never in tune! Signed RL for Castleford to help pay for a house. Played only one game in the Cas first team – no one there to “hit” him early on! My stag party, finally got him back to the clubhouse, in 1964. Grandson, Nick, plays for Selby on and off. Peter Francis Maesteg & Wales I took a South African young farmer I met at a YF dance, to see his team play at The Arms Park with 7/6d standing tickets. The NFU fixed us up at a rugby keen B&B farm to stay over. 20 years later, their young son, Peter Francis propped for Wales – but sadly also only once. We still keep in touch at Christmas.

Touch Judge Jack Harker Hailed from Knottingley and onto Otley. Must have propped in Selby 2nds before my time. Great to be with, and listen to anywhere, and could talk forever about Jeff Butterfield. He would run the touch line, and select the pub, food and drink afterwards. Referees Walter Jackson (Jackson Lounge and his picture on lounge wall) and Kevin Weston Walter taught maths at Drax by the bell and refereed accordingly – not much advantage and a lot of whistle! A big shock for me to see him in the spotlight leading the dancing at the Annual Ball at Selby Baths. I’ve watched Kevin ref various games over the last few years. The opposite of Walter. Well done! In Support - To cheer us up if we lost, Jimmy Moore and Pete Foster. Also to look after our wallets and keep a check on the kitty. Big Sal (Sally Lockwood), John Hepworth and John Lancaster. Press - Major H A R Puttee would report for the Selby Times and Bill Wharram would report for the Sunday Times. To keep the peace in our household - included on the bench, son Martin (late 80s/early 90s), two other grandsons Charles (Colts) and William (u13s). Selection - – after finishing his 1982 book again during lockdown, I definitely want him propping in one of my sides and helping with selection. He is now RU’s top man and I understand why! His wife, Hilary, would make a good tea lady to mark everything she’s had to put up with. The Venue - I’ve suddenly thought both of my sides should have a decent spacious ground to play on. Odsal Stadium May 5th 1954 for a RL Cup replay held well over 102,000. I was there but didn’t see much. Author, Robert Gate, published a £12 superior paper back out of it in 1994 by asking other heroes for their memories of that historic night. Nearly 100 people replied, including me, and keeping a diary was a big help. The programme was 6d but on second thoughts, my teams deserve better!

Songs – I’ d like my teams to sing, win or lose, especially with Cliff Morgan amongst them. The mostly Drax and Selby side would sing a long forgotten school mostly for publicity!

So what’er we say, So no matter what life lies before us And what we do If things be good or be ill, To the name of the School, We’ll always remember the chorus Let us always be true, And Drax shall be Drax to us still!

Cliff’s side will sing Hymn No 30 – Holy Holy Holy, Blessed Trinity.

Don Bramley 2020 Writing during the Coronavirus Lockdown PS I have to say, you have to be fairly ancient to appreciate all this! July 2020 v3 5 July 2020 v3 6