Geoff Oakes

Geoffrey "Geoff" Oakes (born 20 May 1938[1]) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. He played at club level for Wakefield Trinity (Heritage No. 644) (two spells) and Warrington (Heritage No. 650) as a hooker, i.e. number 9, during the era of contested scrums.

Geoff Oakes
Personal information
Full nameGeoffrey Oakes
Born (1938-05-20) 20 May 1938
Belle Vue, Wakefield, England
Playing information
PositionHooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1958–68 Wakefield Trinity 197
1964–67 Warrington 47+1 1 0 0 3
1967–68 Wakefield Trinity
Total 245 1 0 0 3

Background

Geoff Oakes was born in Belle Vue, Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he worked at Walton Colliery c. 1960.

Playing career

Championship final appearances

Geoff Oakes played hooker in Wakefield Trinity's 3–27 defeat by Wigan in the Championship Final during the 1959–60 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 21 May 1960,[2] and played hooker in the 5–14 defeat by Huddersfield in the Championship Final during the 1961–62 season at Headingley Stadium at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 19 May 1962.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Geoff Oakes played hooker in Wakefield Trinity's 38–5 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1959–60 Challenge Cup Final during the 1959–60 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 14 May 1960, and played hooker in the 12–6 victory over Huddersfield in the 1961–62 Challenge Cup Final during the 1961–62 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 12 May 1962.[3]

County Cup Final appearances

Geoff Oakes played hooker in Wakefield Trinity's 16–10 victory over Huddersfield in the 1960–61 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1960,[3] and played hooker in Warrington's 16–5 victory over Rochdale Hornets in the 1965–66 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1965–66 season at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Friday 29 October 1965.

Club career

Geoffrey Oakes, Reg Parker and Harold Poynton made their début for Wakefield Trinity in the 17–12 victory over St. Helens at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 1 February 1958, he made his début for Warrington on Saturday 21 November 1964, and played his last game for Warrington on Wednesday 28 September 1966.

Biography

Played soccer – goalkeeper at Thornes House Grammar School. Started playing rugby at 16.

In 1955 played two matches for Yorkshire Amateurs U-18 against Lancashire and Cumberland whilst with Trinity Juniors and signed for Wakefield Trinity in 1956 and remained with Trinity until 1964. Geoff made his first team appearance in 1958 against St Helens together with Harold Poynton and Reg Parker. Played in two winning Wembley finals, two championship finals and one Yorkshire Cup. Chosen as "shadow hooker" for Great Britain.

Signed for Warrington in 1964 and whilst there won a Lancashire Cup winners medal. In 1967 returned to Wakefield and retired in 1968 after breaking a leg against St Helens, missing "water splash" final, having played in all previous rounds.

Geoff's other sporting interest is golf, and he is a former member, and past captain City of Wakefield Golf Club. Served on Leeds and District Golf Union executive committee. Played in many pro-ams around the world, winning 25 events including Monaco, Trinidad and Tobago, Acapulco and Biarritz. Professionals played alongside included Mike Slater (pro at Warringon), Hedley Muscroft, Ronan Rafferty, Paul Carrigill, Bill Ferguson and local professional Adrian Ambler. Best handicap 4.

Also became interested in Horse Riding and took part in one day hunter trials, winning at Heath, Wakefield and hunted several times with Rockwood and Badsworth hunts.

When owning the Quarry Inn, Horbury he improved his cooking skills and continues to do so in retirement!

Family

Geoff has two adult children, and two grandchildren.

References
  1. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. "1959–1960 Championship Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. Hoole, Les (2004). Wakefield Trinity RLFC — FIFTY GREAT GAMES. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-429-9
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