Debut: Vs Wigan (H) 5th November 1921

Leeds Appearances: 99

Leeds Honours: Challenge Cup (Winner: 1923)

On 5^th November 1921, dashing Harold Buck made his debut on the wing for Leeds in a 6-all draw with Wigan – Willie H. Davies with both the home tries – and, in doing so, became the game’s first four figure transfer, almost double the previous high water mark.

His move across the city from Hunslet shocked the sport which had enjoyed a post-War boom but was just starting to feel the economic squeeze that led to the Great Depression as the decade wore on. At the end of that season, which saw Leeds win the Yorkshire Cup – although Buck was ineligible for the semi final against Bramley and decider versus Dewsbury – Leeds announced a profit of £2,000, one of only three clubs to be in the black; Hull K.R. and Featherstone the others.

Mystery has always surrounded the amount as it was rumoured that another Hunslet player was also involved in the deal. Although only at Leeds for four seasons, he became part of the famous ‘Busy B’s’ along with Messer’s Bowen, Binks and Britain, his prowess best exemplified in a majestic performance in the demolition of Hull in 1923 Challenge Cup Final when he scored one try and set up two of the others; the season he became the first Loiner to score 30 tries in a season.

In all he appeared 99 times for the club but only made a Test trial the following year. He also ran The Coburg pub on Woodhouse Lane with his wife during his playing days.