Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
245	233	12	49	21	0	189

Physical attributes of 5ft 11in and 16st 10lb are more befitting a forward than a winger, yet Arnie Morgan was signed as a winger from Featherstone juniors in 1960.  He gained experience initially with the 'A' team who won the Yorkshire Senior Competition Championship in 1961/62, during which it was suggested that he switch to the second row. It was in this position that he made his senior debut v Bramley (away) on 17 February 1962, but then reverted to the wing.

He made his mark in 1963/64 after returning to the second row, when his block-busting runs, utilising both his exceptional speed and bulk, provided a new dimension to the Rovers pack. In 34 appearances, he scored 8 tries and had another successful season in 1964/65 which culminated in a typical try at Wigan in the Championship play-off which secured Rovers' surprise 15-8 victory. Sadly, he fractured his leg in the next round at Halifax and did not resume until January 1966. After playing in the 1966 Yorkshire Cup final v Hull KR (another defeat), he was out for a spell but returned in time for the 1967 RL Cup run. His block-busting tries against Leeds in the semi-final when he took four defenders over with him and against Barrow in the final, when he scattered two defenders, demonstrated his power and strength and illustrated his worth.  Complementing the brute force and power, however, was a shrewd football brain.

His impressive efforts gained recognition with a substitute appearance for Yorkshire v Australia in October 1967 (the first of three appearances), and his play for Great Britain in the two encounters against France in February and March 1968 led to his selection for the 'World Championship series in Australasia in June. He played against France in Auckland and New Zealand in Sydney as well as the state games, scoring nine tries.

He was the club's player of the season in 1967/68, when he made his highest appearance total of 35 games. At Huddersfield in April 1968, he bounced off the goalpost to score another try and, in doing so, dislodged the crossbar, which had to be reinstated before the conversion could be taken. A cartilage operation in 1968 and a cracked ankle in 1970 restricted his appearances, but he was granted a well-deserved testimonial in 1971/72, during which he helped the 'A' team win the Yorkshire Senior Competition Shield. He played his last march, away to Wakefield, on 16 April 1972 and later joined coach Laurie Gant and Malcolm Dixon at York. Popular both on and off the field, his stirring play typified his approach to the game.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey