Hull FC won the 1956 Championship Final success over Halifax at Maine Road, Manchester.That occasion spawned an inaugural European Championship, to be played for the following season between the winners and runners-up of the English and French competitions. So, as Hull and Halifax were to be the British representatives in the tournament, so Albi and Carcassonne qualified on behalf of the French League.
The format was simple – the European Championship league table was to be constituted through the league results of the teams in each country together with home and away fixtures between the British and French teams.
Hull had succeeded in the league game at Thrum Hall on 20th October 1956 before the two teams sailed over to France for the games against Albi and Carcassonne. On 1st November, Hull overcame Carcassonne by 13-5, in a match noteworthy for a 70-yard try by Stan Cowan, whilst Halifax saw off Albi by 19-11. Three days later, the fixtures were reversed. Hull triumphed over Albi 23-7 and Halifax had no trouble with Carcassonne beating them 24-9.
The French teams then came to Yorkshire in Easter week of 1957. On Good Friday, 12th April, Carcassonne were accounted for by 28-5 and Halifax scraped home by 21-20 over Albi.
After Hull had then fitted in a league match with Bradford on the Saturday (won 23-3), they managed to secure a draw 19-19 with Albi on The Boulevard on Easter Monday whilst Halifax hammered Carcassonne 33-10.
Three matches in four days – the shock that present day coaches must be feeling at that prospect, although perhaps pay-as-you-play was a great antidote to bumps and bruises in those days.
Just a week later, Halifax had to visit the Boulevard and Hull wiped the floor to the tune of 35-12, to secure the European Championship – a title the club still holds as it was never played for again.
The season wound up with Hull finishing in second place in the Rugby Football League, although they could not manage to retain the Championship title, going down 14-15 in the Final to Oldham at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.
They did, of course, regain it the following year, beating Workington Town. There were some very fine teams among that lot, and it was certainly a great time to be a Hull supporter.
\Thanks to Bill Dalton Club Historian (and unsung hero!)
Thanks for confirming with all the details Wilf (and Bill!!)
Perhaps we should have a star above our badge to highlight our success in Europe.
I thought we did give it a real go, but Catalans were slightly the better team and we can take pride in the manner of the defeat, rather than the scoreline, which suggests it was a routine win for them. It says a great deal about our cap management, when you recall the likes of Sneyd, Mini, Ellis and Ratu scattering them like 9 pins, in 2019, on our way to 50 points during a game that saw two of the best tries I have seen us score , since the days of the 80's superstar team. I think Ashworth will get an unjust two games, for the head clash with big Chris and I was galled to here Barrie McDermott suggesting a red, when you recall his thuggery , particularly against the Aussies and Paul Sironen, he should keep his judgements private because they will no doubt prrejudice Ashworth's case at the RFL tribunal. Think Hoy looks ready to step up at halfback and if Houghton is out , surely then gives Balmforth a try, if not then I fear we may need 2 9's at the seasons end, because we cannot rely on Cator to play regular long minutes as his injury woes rack up. Davey Litten for Walker weakens us a little , but I see no reason that we should not beat Leigh, without their big names and talisman, Lam. Should be a good game and both sides will be desperate, so it'll be a cagey affait , at least to begin with. On Saturday I thought the pack were excellent and only our centres looked particularly vulnerable , we coped with TJ very well, Nu Brown looks like a real leader, and dare I say it, great hooker,, while the conditions probably favoured us more than them, it was a great effort but not a good enough attack to claim the points.
Disagree -but that could possibly be influenced due to a family relationship!
Think it has to be, Cator offers zero threat in attack, last season he scored no trys and had no assists, last two games alone Lane has created two trys.
Cator is definitely a stronger defender, but I want some kind of attacking threat from our 13 and Lane is offers a lot more in attack than Cator.
Add in the injury records, if it's a straight choice to which one to keep next season, it would have to be Lane for me.
Think it has to be, Cator offers zero threat in attack, last season he scored no trys and had no assists, last two games alone Lane has created two trys.
Cator is definitely a stronger defender, but I want some kind of attacking threat from our 13 and Lane is offers a lot more in attack than Cator.
Add in the injury records, if it's a straight choice to which one to keep next season, it would have to be Lane for me.
Lane is here next season anyway. He's contracted. There isn't a choice of keeping either Labe or Cator. The only decision to be made there is, do we offer Cator another contract or not?
Lane is here next season anyway. He's contracted. There isn't a choice of keeping either Labe or Cator. The only decision to be made there is, do we offer Cator another contract or not?
You are correct, I wouldn't keep Cator, think we have better more durable players coming through the ranks.
