Magnificent seven inducted into York RL Hall of Fame (From York Press)

Magnificent seven inducted into York RL Hall of Fame

10:29am Sunday 17th March 2013 in Sport By Peter Martini, peter.martini@thepress.co.uk

A MAGNIFICENT seven have been inducted in the new York Rugby League Hall of Fame.

A sportsman’s dinner was held in Bar 13 at Huntington Stadium last night in which the inaugural members on this new roll of honour were announced.

The sold-out event was organised by the Knights’ Independent Supporters Society in aid of the club’s squadbuilder fund and included a turn by guest speaker Keith Senior, the former Leeds and Great Britain star.

The seven are: Geoff Pryce, who scored 101 tries in 286 games in the 1980s; the late Vic Yorke, who was a record goalkicking prop; Willie Hargreaves, who holds the club’s most appearances record with 446 between 1952 and 1966; Gary Smith, who scored 107 tries between 1972 and 1985; the late Norman Fender, who toured Australasia with Great Britain in the 1930s after joining York from Welsh rugby union; Baz Watts, who played in the 1954 World Cup during 12 sparkling years at York; and Edgar Dawson, another GB international, who starred for York from 1950 to 1962.

A Hall of Fame committee, with representation from ex-players, club historians, the supporters’ club, ex-directors and The Press, had been formed to select the first-ever inductees, whittling down the numbers from an extensive list, many of which were suggested by readers of The Press. It is planned that one or two former players will be inducted onto the Hall of Fame every year.