Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
60	60	0	13	31	0	101

On the opening day of the season in 1931 a fresh faced teenager by the name of Matt Killingbeck made his professional debut. He had a very successful first year with eight tries and 20 goals. He also played a bit at centre and was a classy footballer with a good brain. After a promising start to the following year, he was sold to raise funds. When World War Two broke out in 1939 he signed for Dewsbury, whose charismatic manager Eddie Waring was building a formidable team despite the war. Killingbeck was made Dewsbury’s captain. He actually came back to Featherstone for one last match and guested for Rovers against Huddersfield on 9th December 1939, making a career total of 59 games, 13 tries and 31 goals.

Matt joined the RAF and served with 10 Squadron, the “Halifax Bombers”. As a rear-gunner he knew his position in the fighter planes of that time was one of the most dangerous. His tour of duty was to fly 28 missions before receiving six months off. In April 1942 he was granted leave to attend his sister’s wedding with just one mission left to fly. When he came back, his regular crew were all on leave so Matt flew his last mission with another crew to complete his tour. On 9th May 1942 his plane was shot down over Berlin with the loss of all men on board. He was 30 years old. He left a widow Audrey and a young daughter. The name of Sergeant Matthew George Killingbeck is included on the memorial roll of honour in Heerstrasse War Cemetery where he is buried.