Harold Poynton

Harold Poynton (1 March 1936 – 4 June 2018) also known by the nicknames "Fishcake", "Poynton the Pippin", and "Prince of Bamboozlers", was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity (captain), as a , or .

On 15 July 2007 Harold Poynton had the beer Poynton's Pride named after him. Harold Poynton's funeral service took place at Wakefield Cathedral at 11:00am on 21 June 2018, followed by cremation at Wakefield Crematorium at 1:00pm, and a reception at Waterton House.

Playing career

International honours Harold Poynton played , alongside Wakefield Trinity teammate; ; Jack Wilkinson, and against teammates ; Neil Fox, and ; Derek Turner, in Rest of the League's 16–21 defeat by Great Britain in pre-1960 Rugby League World Cup warm-up match, in aid of the George VI's Jubilee Trust, at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Monday 12 September 1960, he played in Great Britain's 17–10 victory over Australia in the second 1962 Great Britain Lions tour Ashes Test Match at Lang Park, Brisbane on Saturday 30 June 1962, and the 17–18 defeat by Australia in the third 1962 Great Britain Lions tour Ashes Test Match at Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 14 July 1962, and played in the 8–27 defeat by New Zealand in the second Test Match at Carlaw Park, Auckland on Saturday 11 August 1962.

Challenge Cup Final appearances Harold Poynton was injured in Wakefield Trinity's 11–2 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the Challenge Cup semi-final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 9 April 1960, and so he missed the 38–5 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1959–60 Challenge Cup Final, but he played in Wakefield Trinity's 12–6 victory over Huddersfield in the 1961–62 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 12 May 1962, in front of a crowd of 81,263, played , scored a try, played , and was man of the match winning the Lance Todd Trophy in the 25–10 victory over Wigan in the 1962–63 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1963, in front of a crowd of 84,492, and played , and was captain in the 10–11 defeat by Leeds in the 1967–68 Challenge Cup Final (the "Watersplash" final) at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1968, in front of a crowd of 87,100. and he played his last match for Wakefield Trinity against Huddersfield at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 13 September 1969, after which he retired due to a recurring knee injury.

Testimonial match Harold Poynton's Testimonial match for Wakefield Trinity was the 10–5 victory over the then league-leaders Leeds, at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Monday 15 April 1968.

Honours Wakefield Trinity Challenge Cup: 1961–62, 1962–63 Rugby Football League: 1966–67, 1967–68

Family Harold Poynton's married Kathleen (née Stanley) in 1965 in Wakefield. They had two children; David (born 1966) and Rachel (born 1971).