No, I've never heard of him either, although some of our older members (such as 1315trinity) will have.



He is a South African former RL player that we signed in 1970 and there is an interview with him in today's League Express where he recounts how he came to play for Wakefield and what happened when he first met the then Trinity Chairman and Secretary...

"They didn't think I could speak English.....they came to meet me at Heathrow and we got on a train to Wakefield. They were talking to each other and assuming I couldn't understand them. I just kept quiet. The Chairman said to the Secretary that he hoped I didn't want a meal because they didn't have much money on them. When the kitchen staff came around, I pointed to the best steak and I could hear them cursing. So I just sat there eating a lovely fillet steak while they could only afford to have a sandwich each ! When we got to Wakefield, someone came up to me and we had a chat. Suddenly the Chairman and Secretary said "Why didn't you tell us you could speak English ?"
I said "You didn't ask !"

Priceless





He eventually went on to play twice for the GB Lions against Australia

Excellent powerful winger. Played 66 times for us . We then let him go to York. Can’t remember why. Then he went to Bradford where he was a great success and earned two GB caps.

I've met him a few times. Very nice and very intelligent man, with a wicked sense of humour so I can see that story playing out exactly as he says.
He played in a time when racism was a major international issue but was also generally accepted as the norm in northern England so I'm sure he had some tough times. On the field he was excellent and well regarded player.

Not sure that pans out as a story. One, most South Africans speak English, especially those with an English name rather than a Boer name. Also by that point, we'd signed a fair few South Africans so you'd assume they would assume he spoke English. Jan Prinsloo maybe but even Afrikaners generally speak English as a second language. The only other assumption I can come to is that it was because he was black but again that would have been hugely ignorant mentality even by the standards of the 1970's.

Still, it's a good story, somewhat embellished, but funny all the same.

You're so wrong there. There was an excellent programme about Welsh converts to RL from BBC Wales a few years back. Many were black and they all said to a man that they suffered virtually no racism whilst playing RL or from the vast majority of fans. The complete opposite of what they had experienced in RU, especially in Wales.

Can't remember what it was called but it will be available as a BBC download,

I remember the photo of DB in the Wakey Express when we signed him. Head and shoulders shot of him looking up at Wakefield Cathedral spire.

Well I lived in the north of England in the 70s and it was very much there. I didn't say in rugby.
But equally I've heard chants on terraces plenty of times through that period, some at Belle Vue. Using racist language and having racial stereotypes was so common that it was just accepted as ok.

Correct PT.
It was around then as I can vouch for it personally.
.....and of course its still here,(sorry for moving off the thread but I had to say this.)

Spot on I can remember all the chanting down at Waggies corner and the Western Terrace when Barrands was playing he was a power house.

Not so much a racist remark, but when Mick Morgan was doing is after dinner talks, he used to tell of an incident when Dave B was playing at BV one particular game, a wild pass to him, hit him on the head and bounced into the crowd, one chap in the crowd obviously a snooker fan, shouts out “seven off the black”. Perhaps not very PC nowadays, but people in the crowd at that time saw the funny side. I’d also add that DB did extremely well for himself off the field.

The same happened with Wigan winger Green Vigo. At Central Park during a match against Trinity a wag shouted 'in off black, seven away'. Personally I thought it would have been more accurate and inoffensive to say 'In off Green, four away'. I'll get my coat.

Seem to remember rumours, true or not I don't know, but I recall that some people said he left for Bradford because he didn't get on with Neil Fox. Which I find hard to believe. Great winger.

As ever point missed.

That a social issue and you’re absolutely right. Terrace racism and racism in general were rife in the whole country right up until this millennium to be honest.

I’m on about discrimination not abuse. They are completely different. People making monkey chants etc is vile but in those days it was part and parcel. I grant you it was weird as fans would love there own black players but abuse the opposition ones but hey that was the seventies. I don’t think a lot of people even realised they were being racist or offensive, most just thought it was banter. I know it beggars belief now but history is history. I do accept though that a hardcore did really mean it.

However the Welsh players were pointing out they were not discriminated against by the clubs they joined or the fans of the clubs. They got the same money, the same adulation and above all the same chances, so long as they could play they were treated fairly. Most notably in the case of Clive Sullivan the chance not just to represent GB but to captain it. A chance none would have received in RU at the time.

This may have a lot to do with Leagues acceptance that it’s all about winning and earning a living thus the colour of your skin etc mattered little. If you could play we’d pay and that’s all that matters. None of this amateur ethos for the glory nonsense.

It’s fairly well documented, do try to read between the buttons, please.

I find that difficult to believe. In today’s league express, the article on DB, he is full of praise for Neil Fox, held him in high regard during his playing days at Trinity.

You're most probably right DS. I couldn't/wouldn't believe it at the time. I can remember David when he played for us as he used to catch the same 7.45 am No 10 bus to Leeds as me from Northgate.

As ever, you take your little bit of knowledge and tell everyone else they are wrong if they know something different.

I've spoken to the guy. He came from an openly racist country so he knew what he was talking about. Why would he exaggerate a story for the league express.
You decide it can't be true based on..... Well nothing.

I commented about 1970s England. You tell me I'm wrong because you saw a programme about Welsh rugby players. You justify saying I'm wrong because you now say you were talking about discrimination not racism.
We'll I wasn't, so don't tell me I'm wrong just make your own point.
However, some RU players who have already established themselves is not a representative of everyone who lived at that time or even played rugby.
Achieving success is not an indication of the lack of discrimination either.

You tell me I missed the point and then half agree with what I said.... Even though you commented on my statement not the other way around.
I could go on but I'm certain you know full well what I mean, you just can't accept that you made a mistake.

If you want people to understand what you mean, write it down. Don't complain that people didn't read between the lines. There is nothing there. Write it or accept its only in your head.

Jeez PT, read the chuffing post.

I said you were right!!!! How plain can I make it!!!!

I said we were talking about different things.

So one more time. RL did not discriminate!

RL fans most certainly racially abused.

It’s a case of a clarification.

People in this country seem to really struggle to understand the difference between racism and discrimination. I don’t know why it’s enshrined in the law. Technically being a racist isn’t a crime, only acting upon it is. The most obvious act and the most illegal one is to discriminate on the ground of colour, religion, ethnicity, gender and sexual preference. You're allowed an opinion but that’s all and that’s ok with me.

So black players in RL in the sixties and seventies were almost unique in British sport by suffering virtually no discrimination in their chosen line of work. Amazing given the era.

I have no doubt that for the rest of the time they took plenty of abuse though softened somewhat by the many fans who adopted them as one of there own.

Anyway, you clearly don’t want to listen to me so I’ll find you the link to the show. Maybe the eloquence of these players will get the message across.

Bear with me as I find it. Worth a watch anyway just for the history.

Have a nice day.

David Barends is a lovely bloke, I used to chat with him , bumping into him whilst out walking (obviously not seen him for a while due to covid).
My first memory of David playing was at Mount Pleasant Batley (not long after he joined us), he was stood on the wing on a freezing day, with snow blowing about. I don't think that he got a pass all the match. I used to remind him of that day and he has a laugh about it.

It's called Rugby Codebreakers It's not available at present but thee are plenty of clips. Can't find the one that truly illustrates my point but this comes close https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08t068z

It's called Rugby Codebreakers It's not available at present but thee are plenty of clips. Can't find the one that truly illustrates my point but this comes close https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p08t068z