Ian Van Bellen

Ian Van Bellen (30 October 1945 – 30 July 2019), also known by the nickname of "Selwyn" (after his perceived facial similarity to Bill Maynard who appeared in Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt!), was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

Ian Van Bellen
Personal information
Born(1945-10-30)30 October 1945
Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died30 July 2019(2019-07-30) (aged 73)
Playing information
Rugby union
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Huddersfield R.U.F.C.
Rugby league
PositionProp
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1963–70 Huddersfield 161+5 26 3 0 84
1970–73 Castleford 51 11 5 3 49
1973–77 Huddersfield
1977–80 Bradford Northern 63+23 7 1 0 23
1980–81 Fulham RLFC 20+2 4 0 0 12
1981–82 Blackpool Borough 23+1 2 0 0 6
1982–83 Halifax 33 1 0 0 3
1983–84 Kent Invicta 19+5 2 0 0 8
1984–85 Keighley 4 0 0 0 0
Total 410 53 9 3 185
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1969 Great Britain U24 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

He played club level rugby union for Huddersfield R.U.F.C., and club level rugby league for Huddersfield, Castleford, Bradford Northern, Fulham RLFC, Blackpool Borough, Halifax, Kent Invicta and Keighley as a prop.[1][3][4]

Background

Ian Van Bellen was born in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

Castleford

Van Bellen started his rugby league career at Huddersfield, and signed for Castleford in September 1970.[5] He played prop in Castleford's 7–11 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1971 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1971–72 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 21 August 1971.

He returned to Huddersfield in April 1973 as part of an exchange deal for second-row forward Trevor Chawner.[6]

Bradford Northern

Van Bellen was signed by Bradford Northern in October 1977 for a fee of £1,500.[7] At the end of the 1978–79 season, he appeared as an substitute in Bradford Northern's 2–24 defeat against Leeds in the 1978–79 Premiership Final at Fartown, Huddersfield on 27 May 1979. He was also a substitute in the club's 6–0 victory over Widnes in the 1979–80 John Player Trophy Final during the 1979–80 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 5 January 1980.

Later career

In July 1980, Van Bellen was signed by new club Fulham RLFC for a fee of £5,000. He played in the club's first ever competitive match against Wigan at Craven Cottage on 14 September 1980.

In August 1984, Van Bellen joined Keighley.[8] He retired from playing in 1985.[7]

Representative career

While playing for Huddersfield, Van Bellen made one appearance for the Great Britain under-24 team in a 42–2 win against France under-24's on 17 April 1969 at Wheldon Road, Castleford.[9]

Personal life

Van Bellen is the older brother of Gary Van Bellen, who also played rugby league. They played together at Bradford Northern.

Van Bellen retrieved the "Fartown Stone" from the Fartown Ground when a section of the ground was being demolished. The "Fartown Stone" now resides at the Kirklees Stadium, Huddersfield.[10][11]

Van Bellen died in July 2019, aged 73.[7]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. RL Record Keepers' Club
  3. David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000) "Images of Sport - Castleford Rugby League - A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0752418957
  4. "Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  5. "Walsh makes certain". The Guardian. London. 30 September 1970. p. 19 – via ProQuest.
  6. "Bradford have only one doubt". The Guardian. London. 5 April 1973. p. 22 – via ProQuest.
  7. "Former Bradford Northern forward Ian Van Bellen dies, aged 73". thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  8. "Sport In Brief". The Guardian. London. 24 August 1984. p. 20 – via ProQuest.
  9. Saxton, Irvin (ed.). History of Rugby League: No.74 1968–1969. League Publications. p. 13.
  10. "Giants Supporters - Heritage". giantssupporters.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  11. "Huddersfield RL Heritage - Archive". huddersfieldrlheritage.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
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