Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
149	149	0	54	1	0	164

Few players can have experienced the meteoric start to a professional career which was enjoyed by Don Metcalfe. He was signed from Sandal RU in December 1951 as understudy to Freddie Miller, but was tried out at centre in his debut at home to Hull on 2 February 1952. Not only did he score his debut try, but he impressed sufficiently to retain his place and play his part in the glorious RL Cup run, although he missed the semi-final game. When he appeared at Wembley on 19 April 1952, it was only his 11th senior game, and eight days later, he played for England Under 21s in France.

Although national service intervened in 1953, this did not prevent his development as an outstanding prospect. One of his best tries was in the second round Yorkshire Cup-tie v Hull KR (at home) in September 1952, when he went 75 yards in a classic strike and his defensive qualities were at their best against St Helens in February 1954 when 'magnificent tackling by Metcalfe was the feature of Rovers' 26-7 defeat'. In 1955 he had hopes of another Wembley trip as he scored three tries in the first round against Belle Vue and scored the all-important try in the 13-9 victory at Leigh in the third round.  Those hopes were dashed in the semi-final by Workington who had also been the victors in the 1952 final.

He was appointed captain in 1955/56 at the age of twenty-three, and he thrived on the responsibility, leading by example. He also captained Yorkshire in his two appearances in October 1955 and September 1956. His 16 tries in 1955/56 headed the club try-scoring list. He had excelled at centre, but in November 1956 was asked to play at full-back. He had two games in the 'A' team, but then returned to the senior team - at centre!  Seeds of discontent had seemingly been sown and in March 1957 he said that he would not play for the club again unless his transfer request was granted. The club refused, but in April he was transferred to Wakefield for £3,000, where he enjoyed another successful career - at full-back.

He was hugely dedicated to the game and he excelled in both attack (with his eye for the opening and his galloping style) and defence. The Pontefract & Castleford Express said that Metcalfe 'has played some splendid football in a spirit which has always added prestige to the club. There is not a sounder defensive footballer in the game and with an effective attacking edge. Had a tremendous capacity for work and we retain the memory of many matches which he has won off his own bat, when all seemed lost'.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey