Wally Desmond


Walter Leslie Desmond was a New Zealand professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. He played at representative level for New Zealand, and Wellington, and at club level for Leeds, Castleford, Batley and Bramley, as a, or, i.e. number 2 or 5, 3 or 4, or, 6, and he was Chairman of the Leeds & District rugby league referees' society in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

Playing career

International honours

Desmond played in New Zealand's 20-28 defeat by Great Britain at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 2 October 1926.

Club career

Desmond made his début for Leeds scoring 2-tries in the 31-5 victory over Keighley at Headingley Stadium on Saturday 29 October 1927, he signed for Batley from Leeds on 30 January 1930, and he made his début for Batley against Hunslet at Mount Pleasant, Batley on Saturday 1 February 1930, he and /halfback J. Whitaker signed for Bramley from Batley on 29 September 1931, with Bramley's Welsh forward Charles Walker transferred to Batley from Bramley.

Personal life

Desmond married Norah Ellen Hill on 1 April 1933 at St Michael's Church, Buslingthorpe, Leeds.