Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
435	435	0	23	0	0	69

Ernest Barraclough was one of the elite thirteen who represented Featherstone Rovers in their first game in senior rugby league at Bradford on 27 August 1921. He was, however, the only one of those players who was injured in that game and he had to miss the next two games. This absence for two games did not matter too much, however, as he went on to amass a total of 435 appearances for the club in a career which spanned from l921 to 1934 – still the most ever by a Rovers forward and only five behind the all-time appearances total of 440 by Jim Denton.  Yet, if one analyses Barraclough's phenomenal record, he could easily have gained the all-time record for himself had it not been for a lively personal disposition. As a prop forward, he was always in the thick of the action, which resulted in several 'early baths' and resultant suspensions. According to newspaper reports, he missed seventeen matches through suspension and eleven through being in dispute with the committee!

His remarkable record of consistency made him the mainstay of the Rovers pack in those formative years following admission to the league. He scored his first try on 30 September 1922 in his 38th game for the club and his best try tally in a season was six in l927/28. This was one of his best seasons when he suffered mixed fortunes. His form was such that many tipped him for a place on the 1928 tour of Australasia, and he was disappointed that he was not even selected for the tour trial matches. Shortly afterwards, he was sent off at Hunslet in March and the resultant four match suspension brought an end to a record run of 54 consecutive matches. Those four matches were the only games he missed in a crowded season.

Representative honours did come his way.  He was selected for the Yorkshire side which faced Lancashire in November 1924, but had to withdraw through injury. Happily, he made his debut almost a year later against Lancashire and Cumberland. He featured in the success enjoyed in those early years – the epic second round RL Cup tie with Wigan in March l923; the successful league campaign of 1927/28 which culminated in a rousing championship semi-final defeat of Leeds at Headingley, but a disappointing final against Swinton; and the equally disappointing first ever Yorkshire Cup final against Leeds in November 1928 which also ended in defeat.  Inevitably, whenever the Rovers carried off astounding victories in their first decade where the foundation of the victory had been laid by the heroes of the pack, then it was usually Ernest Barraclough who was to the fore. Apart from his presence and power, he was particularly famous for his dribbles with the ball at his feet, a feature of the game in the pre-war years.

His sheer consistency and durability amazed Rovers supporters. After playing at Widnes on 14 April 1934, he allegedly announced his retirement. The Rovers, however, retained him on their register and when Broughton Rangers offered £100 in August he was transferred there.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey