Dewsbury Rams can now reveal the amazing work done by sculptures Ryman and Leader Sculpture Castings on the creation of Jack Addy’s bust.
The unbelievable work done by the company has helped to capture Jack perfectly and the club would like to thank them for their work.
The Rams would also like to thank everyone who donated to the cause and everyone involved in making this happen.
Jack will never, ever be forgotten at Dewsbury, he’s a legend of not just our club but the sport in general.
Jack’s history
Dewsbury RLFC was a major part of Jack’s life, beginning with his early days as a player in the Colts team, but it was his time as head coach that really stood out.
He first took on the role in the 1983/84 season after the resignation of Tommy Smales and slowly put together a team capable of challenging for promotion.
He made his first partnership with Norman Smith – a partnership that was to come together more than once.
He persuaded local boy Dave Busfield to join from Hull as team leader and his contacts with the other side of the world led to what became the inspirational signings of Chris Mita and Tony Murphy.
He persuaded Nigel Stephenson to come back to the club from Wakefield Trinity and Jack’s leadership and astute coaching ensured that Dewsbury ended the season with promotion to the top division.
The following season, in the top flight, saw Jack recruit Neil Kelly and so started an association and later friendship that was to last through the rest of Jack’s life.
Without the funds to compete with the “big boys”, Jack ensured that the team could compete in the elite league.
He decided to move to Huddersfield for a similar role when he felt it was right for new blood to move in at Dewsbury, but he would soon be back at his spiritual home of Crown Flatt.
After a spell as assistant to Maurice Bamford, Jack again took on the role of head coach in December 1990. He steadied the ship in what would be Dewsbury’s final season at Crown Flatt.
Jack was then instrumental in getting Norman Smith back to the club, first as his assistant, and then in the role of head coach, paving the way for his successor at a time many supporters remember for the fast-flowing exciting style of rugby that they coached the players to achieve.
Jack’s association with the club was to continue long after his coaching days had finished, with roles serving the club on the committee, before taking on the role of club president and being a steadying influence throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s.
He also helped to save the club a lot of money by taking on maintenance jobs that would otherwise have had to be tackled externally, even standing in as head coach for a handful of games when called upon.
Jack met his partner, Pat, outside of rugby but he soon made sure she caught the bug and they were a familiar sight together at the games, as well as being regularly mentioned over the tannoy as club sponsors.
Jack also loved his cricket, playing to a high standard in a competition then known as the Yorkshire Council.
He also enjoyed golf, but it is for what he did for rugby, and in particular Dewsbury Rams RLFC, that he will be remembered for.
