Former Doncaster rugby star turned sports writer dies

A former Doncaster rugby league star and Wembley winner who later became a sports writer has died.
Les BelshawLes Belshaw
Les Belshaw

Les Belshaw played for the Dons in the 1950s and was also a member of the Barrow squad which won the 1955 Challenge Cup Final.

Mr Belshaw died at the age of 88 at Warde Aldam care home in South Elmsall after a short illness on February 11.

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He played as a prop for Barrow during the 1954-55 season and helped the Cumbrian side to a 21-12 victory over Workington Town in the 1955 final at Wembley Stadium.

Mr Belshaw also played a part in Barrow's 12-2 victory over Oldham in the 1954 Lancashire Cup final and switched to Doncaster for the 1957-58 season.

He was made a Life Member of Doncaster RLFC in 2010 in recognition of the fact that he played for the first ever Dons team in 1951. He was also a director of the club at one stage.

Following his retirement from the game, he became a sports writer for various local newspapers and also a rugby photographer.

He leaves two sons, Mike and Chris.

The funeral will be held at Rose Hill Cemetery on March 11 at 1.30pm.