Fev Players: Scrum-halves

ALL THE ROVERS SCRUM-HALVES

ALL THE ROVERS SCRUM HALVES

Here is a list of everyone who has ever played at scrum-half for the Rovers from the beginning of our professional era in 1921 up until the end of last season (2018). They are listed in the order of appearances in the starting line-up as a stand-off.

We’d take a bet that no other club has two unrelated players who have played more than 300 games at scrum-half with the same surname! There are nine players who have been at scrum-half for more than 100 matches but the two at the top of the pile are Deryck Fox at 350 and Don Fox at 307. Deryck never played anywhere else all though he did have 3 games when he started on the bench. Don played a total of 363 games for Rovers with a few at centre early on and in the latter stages at Fev he often played at loose forward. Amazingly, Rovers played 215 matches with Don Fox partnered in the halves by Joe Mullaney.

The very large number who only played one or two games at scrum-half includes quite a few who only ever played that many games for Rovers first team but it also includes several who made the odd appearance at scrum-half playing out of their usual position. In that category are players such as Jack Hirst (our first international who was usually a centre), and Keith Bell (usually loose forward). With just one match at number 7 is one of Fev’s greatest names and the winner of the Man of Steel award in 1983. The only time it has been awarded to a coach rather than a player. We are, of course, referring to Allan Agar who is a Fev legend even though he only played 4 matches for Rovers and two of those were as a sub!