Season 1965/66

Performances of Carl Dooler and his selection for GB tour to Australia

The sales of Don Fox (£3,000) and Terry Ramshaw (£5,000) kept the club afloat but did little to improve the playing record – for the second year in succession it was 15^th position. At least that meant qualification for the championship play offs though this time it was short lived.  An embarrassing 43-2 away thrashing at Swinton in the first round ended the season.  Cup performances didn’t provide any cheer for supporters, with a first round defeat at Castleford in the Yorkshire Cup, and a one point defeat at home to Warrington in the second round of the Challenge Cup.

Injuries to Mal Dixon, Arnie Morgan, Gary Cooper and Gary Jordan meant they made fewer appearances than the team needed, particularly considering the players sold. The Sharlston duo of Carl Dooler and new signing Tommy Smales were the outstanding players of the year.  Dooler was selected for the 1966 GB tour to Australia on the back of his performances.  Youngsters Dave Hartley and Vince Farrar made their debuts and showed real promise.  The old man of the side, hooker Milan Kosanivic, was a model of consistency and Stan Nicholson and Colin Taylor had good years in the pack.