Tommy Smales (L/F)

 June to September 1974

Following in the footsteps of a larger than life character such as Peter Fox would have daunted many, but that was not something to worry the phlegmatic Tommy Smales. He had enjoyed considerable success as a player with his hometown club, culminating in his appearance at loose forward in the 1967 Cup final. Tommy scored the match winning try at Wembley that day, the dream of every single lad who’s ever picked up a rugby ball. 

After hanging up his boots, Tommy embarked on a coaching career that began successfully at Dewsbury.  A “brainy” footballer, this is how he characterised his coaching style.  At Dewsbury he introduced a series of moves which frequently troubled opponents.  He guided them to a league championship in 1972 and challenge cup semi-final in 1973. Eventually work pressure had caused him to resign from his post at Dewsbury but when the vacancy came up at Featherstone he thought with less travel this wouldn’t be a problem.

Unfortunately, not long after the 1974/5 campaign Tommy again began to have problems with the workload of being a part-time coach and his own full-time employment. On the field, the team started with three straight wins, but then lost four on the trot, including early exits from both the Yorkshire Cup at the hands of Wakefield, and the John Player Trophy to Widnes.  It quickly became apparent to Tommy that this situation was not going to resolve itself and he resigned after just a small handful of games in charge.  This took fans and the committee by surprise and they turned to Keith Goulding to step into the gap, leaving his job with York to take over at Featherstone.

Strangely enough, in 1977 history repeated itself when Peter Fox, at that time in charge of lowly Bramley, quit to take over at Bradford Northern. Bramley then moved for Tommy Smales to replace him, just as Rovers had done three years earlier. After Bramley, he then coached struggling Doncaster for a season, a true test of any coach’s stamina and resolution. In 1979 he took over at Batley, coaching them for two seasons, and had a spell at Dewsbury in 1983/84, his last coaching appointment. Within a few years Tommy’s son Ian had made his debut for Rovers and the family connection with the club continued.

Tommy Smales’ coaching record:

74/5: Won 3 Lost 4 = 42.86%