Dewsbury Rams can announce that there will be a minutes silence before our 1895 cup game against Swinton on Sunday for recently deceased ex-player and coach Maurice Bamford.
Bamford played for Dewsbury between 1957-63, he then retired from playing after having an injury plagued career.
Bamford then went into coaching and became assistant coach to Dewsbury boss Tommy Smales in 1972. He was assistant to Smales in that glorious year of 1973 when Dewsbury won the Championship.
Smales left the following year and Bamford took up the task of becoming Head coach in 1974. However his reign was short lived as he only lasted ten games, he was replaced by Alan Hardisty.
Bamford returned to the club in 1989 where Dewsbury were going through a major restructuring process. During his time in charge he brought back some well remembered faces and recruited Chris Wilkinson, Marquis Charles, Tim Butler and Nathan Graham. His second stint in charge was again short as he was dismissed in September 1990, despite having been given a long contract the year before.
As well as being involved at Dewsbury he also managed Great Britain from 1984-87. Bamford had a long and varied coaching career, managing a host of other clubs including Wigan, Leeds, York, Bradford Northern, Huddersfield and Halifax.
We hope as many people can come to the game on Sunday to watch us vs Swinton in the 1895 Cup, but also pay respects to one of Rugby League’s and Dewsbury’s legendary figures.
The funeral will take place on 7th June at Parkwood Crematorium in Elland at 12pm. Supporters are invited to a celebration of his life event at 1.30pm at Headingley Stadium.
