Career Record for Featherstone
Appearances			Tries	Goals	Drop Goals	Points
Total	Start	Sub
371	369	2	59	9	0	195

When Featherstone Rovers played their first, RL Cup Final at Wembley in 1952, the choice of hookers rested between veteran Bill Bradshaw and young Willis Fawley. Fawley had been signed in 1950 from the juniors but after a bright start, his form dropped and it was Bradshaw who got the nod. Fifteen years later, when the Rovers reached Wembley again, Willis Fawley travelled with the Cup squad in a gesture to acknowledge his Rovers career which had just ended after a record-breaking 16 years and 9 months - the previous record being that set by Frank Hemingway with 16 years.

His temporary lapse in form prior to Wembley 1952 was unfortunate because from taking over from Arthur Wood in 1951 to 1964 he was generally regarded as Rovers' premier hooker. He made his senior debut v Keighley (away) on 10 March 1951 and scored his first try, v Doncaster (at home), on 22 August 1951, the first of many tries to be scored by this very agile and speedy player. Indeed, during the 1950s, arguments raged as to who was the fastest hooker in the loose - Tommy Harris of Hull or Willis? Harris gained the representative honours which Fawley's form richly deserved but which never came. In encounters between the two clubs, their qualities seemed evenly balanced, particularly in 1959 when Hull beat Rovers in the RL Cup semi-final in April, but Featherstone were the victors in the Yorkshire Cup final later that year.

In the opening game of 1957/58, Fawley scored a hat-trick of tries against Leigh (at home), a feat he was to repeat against Keighley in September 1960. His try-scoring exploits reached their peak in 1959/60, when he set up a new club try-scoring record by a forward of 17 in one season. One of the most important tries he scored was in the epic third round RL Cup encounter at Swinton on 19 March 1960. Lambert's astute back pass was taken by Fawley to score under the posts and seal an incredible 11-7 victory over the powerful Lancashire side.

One of the most dramatic events was on Boxing Dry 1954 in the derby clash with Castleford at Post Office Road. Half-way into the second half, Castleford were leading 6-3 and exerting pressure through a kick-through.  Fawley chased back and in attempting to clear, stumbled and crashed heavily into the goalpost.  He was carried from the field on a stretcher and a gloom descended which was reflected in Rovers play. Ten minutes later, there was a tremendous cheer as Fawley re-appeared and promptly inspired Rovers to an 8-8 draw - yes, 'Boys Own' stuff!

He was certainly a hard player, but with his exceptional hooking skills and speed in the loose, he was also talented and very popular. He had a well-deserved testimonial season in 1960/61, when he only missed four games. The following season he was in the reserves, captaining them to the Yorkshire Senior Championship, and in November 1963 he out hooked John Shaw, the reserve Test hooker, when he was brought back to play in the Yorkshire Cup final v Halifax. He played the remainder of his games with the reserves and in a fitting gesture played one half of a final senior game v Bramley (at home) on 5 April 1967, prior to Wembley at the age of 37 years 5 months. What a rousing reception he received, testimony to the esteem in which he was held.

 

Biography by Ron Bailey