Arthur Atkinson

Arthur Atkinson (5 April 1906 – 1963), also known by the nickname of 'Bruss', was an English professional rugby league footballer who played, mostly as a , from 1925 to 1940. He competed at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford. He was captain of his club for some time. Some believe Atkinson holds the world record for a goal kick in any form of rugby because he kicked a penalty from in the 20-10 victory over St. Helens at their Knowsley Road ground on 26 October 1929. However, England and Cumberland forward Martin Hodgson kicked a penalty goal for Swinton against Rochdale Hornets at the Athletic Grounds, Rochdale on 13 April 1940. Playing career Club career Arthur Atkinson, who was tall, said he had not seen a rugby ball until the age of 17. He was introduced to the sport by William Asquith, who suggested as they were going home from work at a coal pit that they should detour to watch Castleford training at their old ground. He was spotted by Walter Smith, Castleford's representative on the Yorkshire County Committee and a member of the Rugby League Council, as being "a big, likely sort of lad". Smith encouraged him to join in on the spot using borrowed kit. He was in the club's A-Team as a for the next game, against Brotherton St Johns, and played a few more times that season. In the following season, he played more frequently for the team, sometimes as a , and had his first match for the senior side against Windhill, when he played one half as a and the other as full-back. When Castleford became a professional club for the following 1926–27 season, Atkinson played as a for a while before becoming the regular full-back for three seasons. His switch to what became his regular position as a came shortly before he was first selected for a representative side in 1929.