Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
35	35	0	13	0	0	39

Tommy Smales, was a very successful Great Britain captain and the creative maestro who guided both Huddersfield and Bradford Northern to major honours in the 1960s.  Scrum-half Tommy was famed as one of Rugby League's finest tacticians, a master of the game with an astute footballing brain who, in later years, became a much respected mentor to young players. He won eight caps for Great Britain, six of them as captain in which he led his country to victory in every one.

Smales was born in Glasshoughton in December 1934 and began playing Rugby League at school at the age of 7. At secondary school he attended Ashton Road, one of the area's most productive schoolboy R.L. nurseries, where he was team captain. On leaving school Tommy began work at Glasshoughton Colliery and played for the pit's rugby team before, at the age of 18, he was signed by Featherstone Rovers at the start of the 1952-53 season.

After making his senior debut at Oldham on 23^rd August 1952, Smales was a Featherstone Rovers player for three seasons but, with Don Fox becoming established and other scrum-halves Alan Marchant and Ray Evans in contention, he knew that a regular first team spot in the number seven jersey was a long shot. Eager to play first team rugby, Tommy asked for a transfer six times, and six times the Featherstone committee refused his request. They finally agreed to release him in 1955 at the age of 21, but at a price of £1,500. Smales thought that fee was far too high for a man playing in the 'A' team, he appealed to the Rugby League Council who cut the price to £750. Featherstone knew he was worth more but, eventually, agreed a compromise fee of £1,000 with Huddersfield who were eager to recruit a half-back.

For details of his coaching career, see here