Frank Whitcombe Jr
Frank Whitcombe senior, a huge man with a matching presence on the field retired from the game in 1949 after an illustrious rugby career.Frank captained Bradford for two seasons and played in their Yorkshire Cup winning side of 1966 against Harrogate at Cross Green, Otley in 1966 under the captaincy of Mike Dixon.Peter V Crowther 414 – Mike Dixon 369 – Frank W Whitcombe 329 – Jim Golby 318 – Phil Carter 255 – David S Lightowler 275 – Roger Pickering 255 – Geoff Cooke 244 – Foss Howard 235.Frank Whitcombe was the youngest player to play for Yorkshire, making his debut for the county as a prop forward at the age of 17.Frank also played in Bradford's Yorkshire Cup winning team of 1966 in their 8–3 victory over Harrogate at Cross Green, Otley.The team spirit that enabled Bradford to beat Harrogate in the Yorkshire Cup final at Otley was demonstrated when Mike Dixon and Frank Whitcombe went up together at the end of the match to receive the trophy.Following the death of his father on 17 January 1958, Frank was discharged from the army on compassionate grounds to allow him to help run the family business "The Airedale Heifer" public house at Sandbeds, Keighley, along with his mother and Mollie.A game took place between Keighley RUFC and Skipton RFC, coached by his son Martin, after which Mrs Mollie Whitcombe, Frank's widow, after a short ceremony officially named the stand.