Former Fax player and coach Jack Scroby dies, aged 83

Jack played Rugby Union as a schoolboy at Crossley and Porter Grammar School, then amateur Rugby League for Siddal and Ovenden, before turning professional with Bradford Northern. He played 104 matches for them between 1955 and 1959, mostly as a loose forward.

Halifax had to pay a club record fee of £7,500 to bring him home in 1959, at which time he was with the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in Northern Ireland.

Jack was enlisted into the ‘Dukes’ on March 13, 1958, at the Regimental Depot, at Wellesley Park Barracks, to start his training for his two year National Service stint.

Jack passed out from training, on Wednesday, May 21 1958, as the Best Recruit of his Platoon; as well as Best LMG shot. Jack’s Passing out parade was inspected by Brigadier Webb-Carter, father of the Dukes last Regimental Colonel, Major General, Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter.

During his service with the ‘Dukes’ Jack was a stalwart of the ‘Dukes’ rugby team. He was capped twice, playing for the Army. Prior to enlisting Jack had played Rugby League for Ovenden and Siddall, then in 1955 he turned Pro, playing for Bradford Northern. Whilst the ‘Dukes’ were serving in Northern Ireland, in 1959, Jack was selected to play for the Army, against the Navy and Airforce, at Twickenham.

Jack was discharged on 3rd of April, 1960, by which time he had become a Full Corporal (Section Commander) and acting Platoon Sergeant. Following his Regular Army discharge Jack still served as a member of the 5/7 DWR (TA), at the Huddersfield Drill Hall.

He was to play 315 matches for Halifax, scoring 22 tries, by now mostly at prop forward. Highlights were playing in the 1963 Yorkshire Cup Final victory over

Featherstone, and the 1965 Championship Final win against St Helens. He shared a joint Testimonial season with Barry Robinson in 1969. He played his last match in February 1970, before leaving to coach Huddersfield. He then returned to Halifax as a coach, was Chris Anderson's assistant during the glory days of the late 1980s, and then had 10 years as the club’s timekeeper.