RFL Legend Passes Away

“The entire game of rugby league will mourn his loss” were the words of RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood following the death of rugby league star Don Fox aged 72.

The former Featherstone, Wakefield and Great Britain player had made more than 500 appearances and had scored 1,755 points when he retired in 1971. However, unfortunately for Fox, it was the missed goal kick in the 1968 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley that immortalised him in the history of the sport.

Playing for Wakefield Trinity against Leeds, his side were down 11-10 in the dying moments of the match. All Fox had to do was kick a straightforward two-point conversion from in front of the posts and the Challenge Cup would have gone to his team. However, 87,000 spectators then witnessed one of the most enduring images in the history of British sport as Fox slipped on the sodden turf and sent the kick wide. The final whistle was blown and Fox sank to his knees with his head in his hands.

It seems criminal that a man who achieved so much on the field should be remembered for a rare mistake such as that in 1968. He still holds the Featherstone try-scoring record of 162, and is third on the club’s all-time goal-kicking list with 503 from 369 appearances. One thing is for sure though, the sport of rugby league will never forget the name of Don Fox.

For footage of the great man, including the missed kick of 1968, please contact the RFL Archive on 0208 233 5500 or visit www.imgmediaarchive.com/rfl