Len Bowkett

Leonard Bowkett

Personal information
Full name	Leonard Charles Bowkett
Born	6 September 1906 Coventry, England
Died	February 1976 (aged 69) Huddersfield, England
Playing information
Rugby union
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P c. 1923–26 Coventry R.F.C. Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1932 Warwickshire ≥1
Rugby league
Position	Fullback, Centre, Stand-off
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1926–36 Huddersfield 274 37 305 1936 → Batley (loan) 2 0 0 0 0 1936–≥37 Keighley Total 276 37 305 0 0 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1932 England 1 0 1 0 2
Source:

Leonard "Len" Charles Bowkett (6 September 1906 – February 1976) was an English rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s, and coached rugby league in the 1930s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Warwickshire, and at club level for Coventry R.F.C., and representative level rugby league (RL) for England, and at club level for Huddersfield, Batley (loan), and Keighley, as a fullback, centre, stand-off, i.e. number 1, 3 or 4, or 6, and coached at club level for Keighley (A-Team).

Background

Len Charles Bowkett was born in Coventry, Warwickshire, he was a pupil at Broad Street School, Coventry, he was the landlord of The Fleece Inn, Sheepridge, Huddersfield in c. 1934, and he died aged 69 in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

Park Drive Cigarette card featuring Len Bowkett

International honours

Len Bowkett took place in a trial match for England (RU) circa-1926, and won a cap for England (RL) while at Huddersfield in 1932 against Wales.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Len Bowkett played left-centre, i.e. number 4, was captain, man of the match, and scored three penalties, and two conversions in Huddersfield's 21–17 victory over Warrington in the 1932–33 Challenge Cup Final during the 1932–33 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 6 May 1933, receiving the trophy from Edward, Prince of Wales.

County Cup Final appearances

Len Bowkett played left-centre, i.e. number 4, and scored a goal in Huddersfield's 2-10 defeat by Leeds in the 1930–31 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1930–31 season at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 22 November 1930, played left-centre, i.e. number 4, and scored a goal in the 4-2 victory over Hunslet in the 1931–32 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1931–32 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 21 November 1931.

Club career

Len Bowkett played two matches while on loan from Huddersfield to Batley in April 1936; the 12-9 victory over Huddersfield at Mount Pleasant, Batley on Saturday 11 April 1936, and the 7-10 defeat by Leigh at Mather Lane (adjacent to the Bridgewater Canal), Leigh on Easter Monday 13 April 1936.

Genealogical information

Len Bowkett's marriage to Jessie (née Taylor) was registered during first ¼ 1926 in Coventry district. They had children; June Bowkett (birth registered during second ¼ 1926 in Coventry district), John L. Bowkett (birth registered during third ¼ 1931 in Coventry district), Roland G. Bowkett (birth registered during third ¼ 1937 in Coventry district),

External links

• (archived by web.archive.org) Huddersfield's Hall of Fame
• Goal Kickers
• Stanley Hawksworth recalls Huddersfield's 1933 Wembley win over Warrington
• Auction of Fartown legend Len Bowkett’s medals fetches £2,300
• Richard Bowkett reunited with grandfather’s Fartown memorabilia
• Search for "Len Bowkett" at britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk