Joe Busch
Five Dock, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Position | Halfback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Yesterday's Hero |
Joe 'Chimpy' Busch (4 June 1907 – 29 May 1999) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. A state and national representative halfback, his club career was played with Sydney-based teams Eastern Suburbs and Balmain, and British team Leeds, in the 1930s. He has been named amongst the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century.[1]
Life and career
Born in the country town of Maclean, New South Wales, in 1907. As a newborn, one of his older brothers remarked that he looked like a chimpanzee and hence he gained the lifelong nickname 'Chimpy'. Busch was a fisherman who played in the local side, Harwood Island. In 1926, at the age of 19, he was spotted by Eastern Suburbs talent scout John 'Dinny' Campbell, and invited to trial for a position in the team. Busch had to borrow the £5 return boat fare to Sydney. Busch trialled for selection with the Eastern Suburbs and was successful, becoming the team's half-back.
In his first year of professional rugby league, Busch was selected for the NSW state representative team and national team, the
On the boat trip home to Australia after the 1929-30 Ashes tour of Britain, Busch met and became romantically involved with Josephina (Ina) Castrey, who was emigrating from Scotland to Australia, the pair were eventually married.
Based on his performance in the 1929-30 Kangaroos tour, Busch was offered a position with Yorkshire club, Leeds. Busch's contract included a signing fee of £1,000 and match payments of £7 for a win, £6 for a draw and £5 for a loss.[2][3] Busch made his début for Leeds against Wigan at Central Park, Wigan on Wednesday 4 March 1931.[4] While playing for Leeds, Busch was selected in the Yorkshire representative team and toured France in 1934. Busch played for Leeds for 5 years until 1935, when he returned to Australia where he took up the position of captain-coach for Balmain. Busch remained at Balmain as coach-captain for 2 years before deciding to retire at the end of the 1936 season.
In 1945, Busch became a selector for the Australian side.
Busch's wife, Ina died in 1996, they had been married more than 65 years. Busch died on 29 May 1999, aged 91. Busch's death left Harry Kadwell as the lone survivor of the 1929–30 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain. Harry "Mick" Kadwell died just under four months later on 27 October 1999, aged 96.
Notable tries
For many years after, fans would talk about a try Busch scored where he took the ball from a scrum, and shot down the blind-side with Souths, and Australian wing, Benny Wearing, in support. As the Queensland defence closed in, Busch held the ball back from Wearing - he dummied to him five times before scoring a brilliant individual try.
Busch played in 6
Accolades
In 1998, for a rugby league memorabilia auction for charity Busch's 1928 autographed jersey went for A$67,000.[8]
Following his death in 1999, players from the two Australian clubs for which he played, Eastern suburbs and Balmain wore black armbands in his honour.[9]
In February 2008, Busch was named in the list of Australia's
He is listed as Eastern Suburbs player No. 184.
References
- ^ Century's Top 100 Players Archived 25 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Mordey, B. (11 September 1977). "Stars of Yesteryear: Wizard Half Ran So Hot". Sunday. p. 75.
- ^ McSwan, E. H. (1973). Champions in Sport. Maclean, N.S.W.: Clarence Press.
- ^ Dalby, Ken (1955). The Headingley Story - 1890-1955 - Volume One - Rugby. The Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Co. Ltd ASIN: B0018JNGVM
- ^ 'Fred Butters' NOT 'Frank'
- ^ "League's Grand Old Man Departs". The Daily Telegraph. 31 May 1999.
- ^ "Youth from bush jumped straight into Test league". The Daily Mirror. 11 May 1979.
- ^ "Giving thanks to Gasnier". The Daily Telegraph. 5 September 1998.
- ^ "Local league legend dies". The Daily Examiner. 30 May 1999.
- ARL. 23 February 2008. Archived from the originalon 26 February 2008. Retrieved 23 February 2008.
Sources
- RL1908.com - Sean Fagan
- The Encyclopedia Of Rugby League Players; Alan Whiticker & Glen Hudson