THE grandson of a Huddersfield rugby legend has expressed his relief after mementoes from his grandfather’s career were auctioned off to a collector.

Items gathered by Len Bowkett during his nine years at Fartown in the 1920s and 30s fetched £2,300 in Leeds yesterday.

The memorabilia included a 1933 Challenge Cup winner’s medal along with six other medals, caps, photographs and a miniature silver trophy.

Bowkett’s grandson Richard, 35, said he only became aware of the existence of the items when the Examiner ran an article about the auction on Friday.

He went to yesterday’s sale to bid for the collection, but was outbid by £300.

“I can’t describe what it was like being there in the room with all his stuff,” Richard, of Bradford, said.

“It almost felt like I was sitting at his death-bed. My grandfather is a hero of mine.” The collection, which had been at a house in Newsome, was bought by a collector in Keighley.

Richard added: “It’s a bit of a disappointment that I didn’t win the auction, but this is the second best thing. I will have more chance of seeing them now than I ever have before.”