Old time players, underlying health issues, had been ill for some time , Stuart Kelly, forward, prop, a very hard man, played 10 games, wakey bought him to toughen up the pack, his reputation went before him with the RFL. Terrible disciplinary record but feared no one., 1970-71
I remember Salford away, league match, Salford were in their heydays. However, we did loose but, they had a very big prop called Charlie Bott, a renowned rough big lad, Kelly was slim, fit but very hard in an era where punches were often the norm. Kelly was doing his usual misdemeanors, Paul Charlton , fullback in a short play to the corner flag took a pass, strode 5yds, & diver over, Kelly, could not stop him & as Charlton was diving down Kelly Rabbit punched him behind his neck ,
Was warned by the ref etc, Salford players not happy. Various scrums on, Kelly was clearly upsetting their rythem & losing scrums.
All of a sudden, middle of the field, scrum broke, Big Charlie squared up to Kelly, picked up slightly by grabbing his shirt front under his chin, pulled him forward & nutted Kelly one on ! Well, he totally miss judged Kelly, he let go of Kelly, & then staggered back, held his head. Kelly looked on as if to say what's the matter, ref warned both & play went on, Bott shortly leaving the field, Kelly was un-repenting. We lost the game.
Later Wakefield were fined by the RFL, for buying a player to use their words, deliberately for fighting buying his reputation ! God rest to him.
The other player, hooker, astburry, was a loanee, God rest to him also.

Very shocked to hear that very sad news, Trin. I knew Stuart very well and worked alongside him for many years. As you say he only played a few games for us. We took him from Halifax as a hooker although he was a Wakefield lad, brought up on Flanshaw and went to Snapethorpe secondary school. Like John Burke, he was a big lad, but off the field very humorous and a gentle giant. The last I knew he was living at Ossett.

RIP Stuart. I'll remember you for the laughs we had together. This cruel virus doesn't discriminate.

Keep safe everyone.

Malcolm Storey, another player from the '60's has also passed away... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/april-2020-obituaries/

Malcolm Storey, another player from the '60's has also passed away... https://wakefieldtrinity.com/april-2020-obituaries/