A member of a famous Rugby League dynasty has died.
Jack Fairbank, who played for Huddersfield in the 1950s, passed away.
His funeral takes place at St Thomas’ Church in Greetland on Wednesday, followed by cremation at Park Wood Crematorium in Elland.
Mr Fairbank, who was a farmer in his younger days, was part of the Fairbank dynasty with strong connections to the Elland amateur club.
His son John, a prop, had a spell at Headingley with Leeds before moving to Oldham with his sons Karl a legend at Bradford and for Great Britain and Dick playing with Halifax. His grandson Jacob is a former Huddersfield Giant now playing with Halifax.
The forward began his career at Fartown but signed for Leeds in 1959.
He scored the opening try in the 1961 Championship Final win, the club’s first Championship success.
His physical prowess was much to do with his work there and he was not one for conventions. A tribute on the Leeds Rhinos website describes how on away trips to Lancashire he would be picked up on the way and with club etiquette demanding the wearing of blazer and tie.
On one such occasion it is said that he wandered straight from the fields in his muddied working clothes but was refused admittance on to the coach by the management who left without him.
A Leeds spokesman said: “The club were delighted when Jack returned to Headingley in 2011 for the last reunion of the 1961 Championship winning squad and we are deeply saddened to hear of his passing. We would like to send our deepest condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.”
