Golden Boy Arrives 1951-1960
Whilst the first half of the 1950's was a barren spell for Leeds it also saw the most important signing in the clubs history. On 6th November 1952 a delegation from Headingley headed off to Gorseinon, Wales and amazed both rugby codes by paying a record £6,000 for the services of Llanelli and Wales Rugby Union star Lewis Jones. Known as the 'Golden Boy', Jones was to become a Leeds legend during his 12 glittering years at Headingley.
Leeds spent the majority of the decade building a dominant team which would bare fruit in the following years. A signal of intent was given when Leeds won the 1957 Challenge Cup final against Barrow at Wembley by 9 points to 7. The team that day was: P Quinn, D Hodgkinson, K McLellan (c), L Jones, G Broughton, J Lendill, J Stevenson, J Anderson, B Prior, W Hopper, B Poole, D Robinson, H Street. During that same season Jones eclipsed the world record for points scored in a season amassing, 496 points.
Leeds won their first Yorkshire Cup since 1937 in 1958 beating Wakefield in the Final at Odsal in a very open affair, eventually winning 24-20.
However, they were fleeting highlights in the decade, although the shrewd work by the Leeds management was nurturing quality young talent to blend with the world class signings that had always been a trademark of Leeds.
