Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
309	287	22	61	0	0	183

It is often said that one key ingredient of success in rugby league has to be a powerful pack. Featherstone had such a pack in the mid-1970s as they gradually dominated the First Division moving from 8th position in 1973/74 to the pinnacle of Champions in 1976/77. One particular component from 1975 to 1977 was the famous front-row trio of Jimmy Thompson, Keith Bridges and Vince Farrar. They first played together as a unit at Leigh on 28 September 1975 in a John Player Cup round and were to play 51 matches from then until the end of the 1976/77 season, when Jimmy Thompson was transferred to Bradford Northern.

For Vince Farrar, it was the culmination of ten years of persistence and patience and was typical of his determination to succeed, even though he was sorely tested on occasions. He signed for the club in March 1965 after trials as a hooker with the 'A' team. His first appearance was as substitute in the opening game of the 1965/66 season at Hunslet and his full debut came at Barrow on 28 August 1965. Yet it was not easy to establish himself in the hooking role.  The Rovers had two veteran and experienced hookers in contention, Milan Kosanovic and Willis Fawley, but as they headed for retirement, young Graham Harris appeared on the scene in 1967 and in a meteoric rise he took the number 9 spot in his first season. He went from strength to strength in the following season, only missing two games. This meant few senior appearances for Farrar and when he played it was usually as a substitute forward. Tragically, Graham Harris's career was cut short through injury in 1968/69 and his misfortune gave Vince the chance he had been waiting for and which he took in great style. He played in all 40 league and cup games that season, a feat only previously achieved in peace-time football by two other players, also number 9s - Percy Morris and Joe Golby. Yet, in the first real acknowledgement of his versatility, he played eleven of those games at loose forward to help the club out of difficulties following the retirement of Tommy Smales.

It was in the number 13 jersey that he obtained his first medal when he played in the 1970 Yorkshire Cup final against Leeds – the first of three unsuccessful finals in that competition. His versatility was extended as he also played in the second row and, more significantly, at number 10, in the last four games of the season. From then on, this was to be his accepted position.

Another sound season in 1971/72 increased his stock and he added to his personal tally as substitute for Great Britain v New Zealand in September (he was also a substitute in the Under 24 international with France in 1969); substitute then full appearance for Yorkshire in October; and 15 tries in 37 appearances for the Rovers. Later that year, the first of his knee problems occurred which kept him out of action for four months. He returned to play his part in the 1973 RL Cup run, scoring one of the tries in the 33-14 demolition of Bradford Northern in the Wembley Cup Final. But injury loomed again and, after only 10 appearances in 1973/74, he feared his career would be over when he suffered knee ligament damage. He was referred to the Durham specialist who had treated Jimmy Thompson, and was advised that there was a 50/50 change of a successful operation. He took the chance and although it meant that he missed the rest of the season, including the 1974 final, it was a success and he was able to take advantage of an offer to play for Cronulla (Sydney) during the close season of 1974.

He returned home in September and two further county appearances followed later that month, but then the season turned sour again when he had to have a cartilage operation.  Undeterred, he returned to the fray when appointed captain and he was thus able to lead the Rovers in inspiring fashion through their glory seasons of 1975/76 and 1976/77. Hopes of another Wembley appearance were high in 1976, particularly after a stunning 33-7 third round victory over Leeds, but the Rovers then disappointed in losing the semi-final to Widnes.  Finishing second in the league table carne as some consolation.

The Rovers were crowned First Division Champions at the end of season 1976/77, when Farrar's inspiring leadership and captaincy played a crucial role and earned him a nomination for the First Division Man of Steel Award (won by Malcolm Reilly). Six months later and it had all changed. The departure of Jimmy Thompson to Bradford was unsettling and whilst Farrar himself had the opportunity to join the Odsal club, he opted to join Hull and was transferred there in November for £10,000. His last match for Rovers was on 20 November at home v Warrington. At Hull he enjoyed further success, captaining them through a record-breaking 26 wins out of 26 to take the Second Division Championship in 1978/79, and lifting the BBC Floodlight Trophy in 1979/80. He also played the last eight minutes of the 1980 RL Cup Final which Hull lost. He made that long awaited and coveted full appearance for Great Britain v Australia (at the age of thirty-one) in the Third Test at Leeds, and added to his Yorkshire County record with two more substitute appearances. After retiring he joined the coaching staff at Hull, but then took the opportunity to coach at Featherstone from February 1981 to December 1982. He then played a season with the newly formed Sheffield Eagles in 1984/85 before finally calling it a day.

Farrar's achievements are inspirational.  Through sheer dedication and perseverance, he reached the top of his profession and led the Rovers through their most successful period. What he lacked in physical stature, he more than compensated for with his solid down to earth and whole-hearted approach. He shirked nothing, was extremely powerful and played well above his weight; he also had the exceptional gift of making the half break and then making the ball available to his support. He was a great motivator, and justly deserved the then club record testimonial of £2,570 which he received in 1976. His record speaks for itself - and is not bad for someone who suffered from rheumatic fever as a child which threatened his future activity!

For information on his coaching career, see here

Biography by Ron Bailey