Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
283	274	9	57	476	0	1123

How about kicking six goals out of ten at the age of seventeen on your senior debut.  That was the remarkable introduction to his Rovers career by Harold Box at home to Keighley on 17 January 1970. He had joined the club from Fryston Juniors in June 1969 when veteran full-back Cyril Kellett was still in command. He thus spent his first season in the 'A' team, but when Cyril broke his ankle in January 1970 it gave Harold his chance.  Ironically, he had only turned to goal-kicking in the 'A' team because of problems over a consistent goal-kicker and he soon mastered the art. With Cyril out for the rest of the season, he had an unbroken run of fifteen appearances but for the next four seasons he vied with him for the full-back position. He missed out in the Yorkshire Cup final v Leeds in 1970 and the RL Cup Final v Bradford in 1973, but took the number 1 spot in the Captain Morgan Trophy Final and RL Cup Final in 1974,both against Warrington.

When Kellett retired in May 1974, Box had chalked up 40 appearances out of 45 that season, and kicked 92 goals - his best ever season for both. He appeared consistently at full-back from 1974 to 1980, but the arrival of Steve Quinn in January 1976 restricted his goal kicking. His best goal kicking feat was nine goals, achieved twice, against Batley (at home) in November 1971, and against Halifax (at home) in January 1973.

He was qualified to play for Wales and played in the European Championship games v France and England in both 1979 and 1980. Many thought that his form warranted inclusion in the 1979 tour to Australia and New Zealand, but George Fairbairn of Wigan gained selection instead. He made his debut for Yorkshire in 1979 playing against Cumberland in August and Lancashire in September, his only appearances.

On the club front, there were contrasting emotions as he shared the ecstasy of being First Division champions in 1976/77; and the despair of another Yorkshire Cup final defeat in 1976 and relegation to the Second Division in 1978/79. At least in that season he was rewarded with the John Jepson trophy for Player of the Season - and he did play his part in the Rovers' immediate return to the First Division, as Second Division champions in 1979/80.

He was granted a testimonial in 1979/80 and the supporters responded with a then record of £5,751. For many fans it was acknowledgement of the part which he had played through the fluctuating 1970s. A slow starter, he took time to develop but the finished product was a solid, strong and reliable full-back whose attributes were a safe defence; flair in attack; effective support and link play; power and pace (witness his three tries in the Yorkshire Cup game at home to Huddersfield in August 1978); and sound positional sense which meant he always appeared to be in the right place at the right time. Above all, he always displayed character and determination which made him a firm favourite with the fans. His last match was at home to Whitehaven in March 1980 and he was transferred to Wakefield Trinity in September 1980 for £18,000.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey