Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
130	130	0	45	1	0	137

Although selected as a winger for the 1928 tour of Australasia, Tommy Askin only played five games on the wing during a Rovers career of 130 appearances; he played the rest of his matches as a centre. He made his senior debut on 21 March 1925 at Dewsbury, where he scored his first try, and he finished the season with 3 tries in B appearances. He made sufficient impression to be described at the annual general meeting as 'another Hirst', which was praise indeed. That initial promise was fulfilled and in 1925/26 he played in 35 of the club's 36 fixtures and only missed the Salford game because he had been involved in a motor accident. He scored 13 tries and his centre partnership with Jack Hirst made them a formidable duo.

His scintillating play demanded recognition and on 16 September l927 he played his first game for Yorkshire against Glamorgan & Monmouthshire at Hunslet. Unfortunately, this appearance only lasted ten minutes as he was kicked on the head and had to be taken to hospital for stitches. He eventually made four appearances. In February the trial games for the 1928 tour were played. Askin played at centre in the second trial and scored a try. He was not included in the tour party which was announced after the game, but two vacancies were left open - for a winger and a forward. Interestingly, the Rovers then selected him on the wing for three matches and he scored two tries away to Salford. The selectors then added him to the tour party, and, almost in celebration, he scored three tries against York on 7 April - this time as a centre!  Although there was not much money in Featherstone, the community was proud of the club's first tourist and they sent hlm off on tour with a complete outfit - handsome cabin trunk and suitcase and everything likely to wear - including a suit of plus fours. He was one of the outstanding successes and he showed his versatility by playing in the wing, centre and stand-off positions and scoring 9 tries in 15 appearances; he played in all three Tests against both Australia and New Zealand.

He missed his club's involvement in the League Championship play-offs in April and May, and did not return to England until September. He received a great ovation in his first match at home to York on 6 October, but received a knee in1ury which put him out of action for seven matches. He managed to appear in the ill-fated 1928 Yorkshire Cup final against Leeds, but had to withdraw through injury from the England team v Wales in November. After playing at Dewsbury on 29 December, he did not play in the return fixture at Featherstone on New Year's Day. The report said that 'he was in the midst of difficulties with the committee'.  The upshot was that he was transfer-listed and signed for Leeds in February 1929. The fee of £800 was a club record and, yet again, eased the financial situation.

With Leeds he made 42 appearances (17 tries) before being transferred to Castleford in 1930. There he continued his try scoring prowess with 64 tries in 196 appearances and played in the winning RL Cup Final side of 1935. In 1937 he had a brief loan at new club Newcastle before he finally returned to Post Office Road in October 1938, making his return against, yes, Dewsbury. He played twelve matches, his last game being at home to Leigh on 28 January 1939.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey