96 Don Fox

Number 96 in the channel 4 show 100 Greatest Sporting Moments,Don Fox's last minute kick in the Rugby League Challenge Cup Final,the infamous 'Watersplash' final between Wakefield and leeds,In atrocious conditions at Wembley, the score was 11-7 to Leeds when Ken Hirst scored under the posts for Wakefield with the final play of the game. As tries were only worth three points at that time, the simple conversion was needed to give Wakefield a one-point lead and win the game. Wakefield fans were jubilant as the conversion from in front of the posts is by far the easiest kick in rugby league and Fox was such a prolific kicker that it realistically should have presented no problem. However, the saturated, sodden state of the pitch made this a more difficult proposition, and Fox lost his footing and sliced the ball wide of the posts. The final whistle was blown immediately afterwards, giving Leeds a dramatic one-point victory. This incident was immortalised for the millions watching on television by legendary commentator Eddie Waring's reaction at the time: 'He's a poor lad'. Fox had already been chosen to win the Lance Todd Trophy for his performance in the match, but he was disconsolate and trudged off the pitch (interviewed by David Coleman on television later, he was asked if it was any consolation and famously replied "not really, no"). Folklore states that Waring took Fox to Featherstone's Post Office Road ground the day after and he kicked several conversions in his carpet slippers. The boots he was wearing during the game are now on display at Wakefield Museum.

[@clivebennett7985]

I'm 65 now and was there in 1968 as a leeds fan I thought we were fortunate to win that day it's a shame Don fox is remembered for 20 seconds of his career when he is actually a rugby league legend

[@markcook4902]

I met Don Fox many years after...Lovely Man

[@garethwilby4033]

It ruined his life,no one ever let him forget it,but on the other hand it immortalised him,it had given him the dubious honour of being involved in the most famous moment in rugby league history!

[@Fcutdlady]

Don Fox went from a good rugby player to a 'poor lad' (as commentator Eddie Waring called him) and was never allowed forget it .

[@sovaine]

Peter Fox RIP....pure rugby league..Great man.

[@ciaranohara92]

I get the impression the brother loves telling that story

[@alex-xz2dm]

this was t5 lm

[@ciaranohara92]

@@alex-xz2dm eh?