I guess I was spoilt by the Roy Francis era of the late ‘60s and early ‘70s when Leeds took all before them.
We couldn’t wait to see his teams in action because they were so entertaining. I was captivated by the new, unique style of rugby they played, for the first time it wasn’t dictated by and didn’t depend on forwards dominating each other early on.
It was the backs that controlled the game, they were given licence to play open rugby from the kick-off and that was a revelation that made the matches enthralling.
I’d watched Leeds for thirty years by then but this was an education, he re-fired my imagination and enthusiasm and took the game to another level which we didn’t know existed. Francis revolutionised the sport and I’m not sure that it has caught up with him even now. It was how rugby league should be played, he encouraged skills and unexpected artistry amongst a group of hugely talented, predominantly local youngsters whom he brought together.
There may have been bigger or possibly better personalities in earlier years but he welded his charges into a wonderful team - probably the best ever.
If any one of them epitomised his philosophy and vision then it was John Holmes, but it was the sum of the parts that made following them so enjoyable.
I bumped into Roy Francis in the Coffee Shop at Moortown a few years after he had retired and I remember begging him to come back.
Geoff Caplan
Originally published in 'Headingley Rugby Voices' Recollections of supporters, compiled by Phil Caplan.
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Memory added on October 22, 2012
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