TEAM OF THE CENTURY
Over 100 different players were nominated for the team in different positions and some players were nominated in more than one position. Sadly, some players were nominated in a position that they never played for Bradford but went on to play at another club and so those votes did not count. You could not, for example, be the best loose forward ever for Bradford if you never played loose forward here.
So by popular vote, the following players were selected to be the ‘Team of the Century’
FULL BACK
Keith Mumby - GB Tourist three times, making 11 test appearances playing twice for England and 9 times for Yorkshire. He was known, as ‘Sir Keith’ to the Northern faithful. Keith played a total of 588 games, over an incredible 20 seasons scoring 779 goals and 84 tries. Helping Northern win Two League Championships, The Premiership, A John Player Trophy and three Yorkshire Cups, he appeared in a total of 10 finals for Northern.
WINGER
Jack McLean – Kiwi Top try scorer of all time with Northern. Jack scored 63 tries in the 1951-52 season, in 46 games. He scored a total of 261 tries in 221 games between 1950 and 1956. He was a member of the table topping side and championship finalists of 1952 and a Yorkshire Cup winner in 1954.
CENTRE
Ernest Ward – Legendary skipper of the successful team of the 40s, winning a complete set of the domestic medals available for Northern. He captained GB to an Ashes whitewash over Australia, earning himself 20 caps, touring twice with the Lions. He represented England 20 times. He played in an amazing 15 finals for Bradford between 1936 and 1956 and also was the club’s record goal kicker before Keith Mumby. Ernest was referred to by his peers as the “Prince of Centres”.
CENTRE
Shontayne Hape – Kiwi International. Classy centre, one of the best in World Rugby League, joined the Bulls in 2003 from New Zealand Warriors. His appearances were limited due to bad luck with injuries yet he collected two World Club Championships, two Super League titles, a Challenge cup winners’ medal, and was an integral part of the treble winning side of 2003.
WINGER
Lesley Vainikolo – The Volcano. Les became a cult hero amongst the Odsal fans. One of the few wingmen to score an average of nearly a try per game in his Super League career, he played 152 games and scored 148 tries. Signed from Canberra making his debut in the World Club Challenge victory in 2002 he collected a further two World titles, to go with his two Super League rings and a Challenge cup winners medal. He scored a club record equalling 6 tries against Hull in 2005. He formed a lethal partnership with Shontayne.
STAND-OFF
Robbie Paul – Youngest captain of a Wembley side in 1996. Robbie scored the first hat trick of tries in a Challenge Cup Final at Wembley . A Kiwi International, who captained the side from the beginning of Super League. Robbie spent ten years at Odsal winning ever honour available, captained the Bulls in a staggering four challenge cup finals, six grand finals and two World Club Championships making 305 appearances scoring 156 tries and kicking three goals.
SCRUM HALF
Paul Deacon – A GB international winning 12 caps and also representing England 7 times. Paul signed in 1998, a superb organiser with an excellent kicking game and, prolific goal kicker taking Keith Mumby’s records for points scoring and goal kicking. At the start of the 2009 season, Paul had made 302 appearances scoring 72 tries, kicking 1049 goals and 22 drop goals giving him amazing points haul of 2408.
PROP-FORWARD
Stuart Fielden – Stuart worked his way through the academy system before making 274 appearances and scoring 49 tries for the Bulls. Completing an impressive collection of Super League titles, World Club Championships and Challenge Cup winners’ medals, he has represented GB on twenty occasions, receiving the highest accolade as the ‘World’s Best Forward’ in 2005.
HOOKER
Jimmy Lowes – An idol amongst the Bulls fans, he signed from Leeds after starting his career at Hunslet as a scrum half. Jimmy was an organiser and an outstanding defender, as well as being a deadly attacker near the line. Jimmy was vital member of the successful all conquering Bulls of 2003. In total Jimmy won three Super League titles, two Challenge Cups and a World Club Championship, playing 238 games scoring 99 tries, and one drop goal. Jimmy also represented GB five times.
PROP-FORWARD
Joe Vagana – Joe, a proud Kiwi who’s represented his country, signed from Auckland Warriors in 2000. A fearsome presence on the field, he was devastating in attack and defence, with a tremendous ability to release the ball in the tackle. Joe played a major role in the club’s success collecting three World Club Championships, three Super League titles, and a Challenge Cup winner’s medal.
SECOND ROW
Trevor Foster – ‘Mr Bradford Northern’, he joined in 1938, played for 17 seasons and was a GB and Wales international. He won all domestic honours with the successful side of the 40’s. Trevor was highly respected by his peers and known for his stylish if uncompromising play. Trevor played a major roll in the club’s reformation in 1964. Without his actions in those dark days of 1963/64 Bradford would not have a professional Rugby League club. He was time keeper until his death in 2005, in total spending 67 years with the club.
SECOND ROW
Karl Fairbank - Known as “Koncrete” to the Northern fans he was one of the toughest forwards of his day, never taking a backward step, however Karl had had much more to his game than just a hard man. He was an effective wide running forward with an uncanny ability to release the ball in the tackle, thus making him a provider as well as a finisher. Karl scored 102 tries in 332 games. His tackling was tremendous and all round talent earned him 16 appearances for GB.
LOOSE FORWARD
Ken Traill - Ken join Northern from Hunslet in 1946 playing in two Wembley finals, two Championship finals and four Yorkshire Cup finals, making 315 appearances scoring 37 tries and kicking 3 goals before leaving in 1956. Ken was a GB international, appearing in 8 tests and touring twice. He was famed for his pin point, defence splitting passing and tactical kicking.
COACH
Brian Noble - Former Bradford and GB hooker served his coaching apprenticeship under two of the best coaches around, Brian Smith and Matthew Elliott. When his opportunity arrived he grasped it with both hands. Between 2001 and 2006, Nobby coached the Bulls to unprecedented success. His achievements include: three World Club Championships; five Grand Finals; three Super League titles; two Challenge Cup finals (winning one); two Minor Premierships; and runners up on two other occasions. This success was to earn him the GB coaching position.
CLUB / KIT MAN
Fred Robinson - The man who set unbelievable standards in smartness. Every week the Bradford team would turn out looking the best dressed in the league. With a devotion to duty unsurpassed through out Rugby League, Fred set standards for other clubs to follow.