Les Boyd Wests, Manly and Warrington player and PPM member has been inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame number 117.
Les playing for Cootamundra at Fisher Park before coming to Wests.
In 2014 Fisher Park was renamed Les Boyd Oval at Cootamundra.
Les arrived at Wests in 1976 and stayed until the end of the 1979 season.
Les played a total of 79 games for Wests which 68 were in First Grade.
Heritage Number 715.
After leaving Wests Les played for Manly between 1980-1984.
Manly Players Number 272.
A total of 75 First Grade games.
Les in his Warrington jumper.
Heritage Number 855
The Warrington years 1985-1989 were very successful for both Les and the Warrington Club.
Les was man of the match, winning the Harry Sunderland Trophy, in Warrington’s 38-10 victory over Halifax in the Premiership Final during the 1985-1986 season.
Les receiving his Warrington’s Hall of Fame Award in 2019.
NSW team of 1980.
NSW team of 1982.
Australian Team of 1982.
Les in his Australian jumper.
In 2000 Les was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia’s international standing in rugby league.
And lets not forget Les was named lock in the Wests Team of the Century in 2004.
Les at the 2023 PPM reunion.
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Tributes
I first met Les Boyd at preseason training of 1975/76.
Les as you know, came down from the bush after having represented Australia in the Australian Schoolboys RL team the season before. Les and I struck up a friendship; as I did with all the players in the club in that era. At that time, Les was living with Frank Courte who was the gear steward/official at the club.
I was teaching at The Kings School Parramatta at the time, and Frank would drive Les to the school on a Tuesday & Thursday afternoon. I would then drive him to training at Lidcombe Oval. Les would come and help me coach my Kings School 2nd XV rugby union team showing them how to tackle and ball handling skills that were far more advanced than my level of coaching could permit. As a result, my team went through undefeated and won the premiership!
Les would often come up to the school on a Saturday to watch the boys play. The then Headmaster at the time would often comment how much the boys liked training with Les and what a great role model and mentor he was to them.
In the final game of the season on the prestigious Kings School JS White Oval, we were playing the equally exclusive The Scots College for line honours and the Premiership. In the late stages of the game, our player made a break, with only the fullback to beat – being our biggest forward, this kid hadn’t run that far all season. He looked to the sideline with a look of “well, what do I do now??” Les, sitting next to me on the bench, stood up, cupped his hands around his mouth and bellowed “Just f’n run over ‘im!” The young forward did as he was instructed, ran over the poor fullback, knocked him clean out and scored the try! (Side note, the poor fullback was stretchered off.)
At the end of the game, the Headmaster took me aside, and shanking my hand with appreciation said “Rob, it’s great having your rugby league friends support our boys, but they must learn to curb their language.”
After Les moving to Manly and me headed to Parramatta, our paths have occasionally crossed. Fortunately, I’ve been able to catch up with Les at our Pratten Park Magpie reunions.
Rob Rowland Smith.
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Les Boyd hard as nails and for a solidly built 2nd rower he was possessed with great pace.
Unfortunately, I only played against him
More importantly he was genuinely a great bloke, a good family man and it was good to be in his company.
An award, he thoroughly deserves.
Stephen Knight
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Congratulations Les to be nominated for this award
Speaks volumes for your football prowess and giving everyone in the team confidence to take on the opposition not to mention being a great team player and just a great all round bloke
Well deserved Les.
Ron Giteau.
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It wasn’t always plain sailing with Les. After getting him down to Sydney to play with the Magpies
The press of course got onto Les and continued to write about his ability which is the worse thing that could happen to a young guy from the country. After 2weeks of praise from the press I had to have a good talk to him as it started to affect his game as he believed he had made the big time in Sydney. After a good meeting with him he realised that the press will drop him and find someone else to write about if he doesn’t perform.Thankfully he realised this and settled down to be a great player and thoroughly deserved his recognition as a player of great ability.
Don Parish coach of the Magpies 1971-75
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Congratulations Les on your amazing induction, well deserved! Even in retirement your still making headlines.
Do we really look alike? But I am the better looking one!
Graeme O’Grady (Snake)
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I just read the tribute from Roy Masters and thought he covered it perfectly. I am proud to have played with and against him, but preferred with!!!! He was the reason I campaigned so hard for the eradication of the much used but famously stupid tap play – “Winger in”.
Ian Schubert
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I’m writing to applaud the recognition bestowed on Les Boyd as a Hall of Fame recipient.
I am absolutely pleased that our, Wests Magpies legend and mate, Les Boyd has been awarded a Hall of Fame position alongside so many wonderful, exciting and Greats of the game.
Fully deserved given Les Boyd’s outstanding career across Club and Representative arenas.
John Dorahy.
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I met Les Boyd in 78 when we played for Wests and as Teammates we became Minor Premiers. Les was very quick and a tough defender. I only had the one season with him, before returning to Griffith. I see Les on occasions at Wests functions are he is a Magpie through and through. Congratulations on your elevation into the Rugby League Hall of Fame.
Geoff Foster
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Had the privilege to go away with Les on the Australian tour to New Zealand in 1980. He and Tommy took me under their wings and looked after me whilst away. On the field, he was one of the toughest players of his era as well as one of the best running, ball playing forwards in my opinion. Les is an absolute gentleman away from football. Congratulations Les Boyd on a great career and a great Magpie.
Jim Leis
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My memories of Les are nothing but good. I was lucky enough to play against Him & with Him. Lucky for me it was more with than against.
I went to a function recently where Fatty (Paul) Vautin was a guest. He mentioned his first 1st grade game against Western Suburbs at Lidcombe oval in 1978. He ran on the field & started a conversation with Les. Boydy mentioned something along the lines that if he ever went near Him, Les would kill Him. Thats the type of character he was!
A tough man on the field, but a perfect gentleman off it. Congratulations on your amazing accolade with the NRL.
Les I hope to catch up soon.
Don Mosley.
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Congratulations Boydy for making the Hall of Fame!
We had good times in the 70’s off the field and on the field…cheers Mate.
Pat Hundy.
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Well deserved in getting this award Les! You were a great player and as tough as they come and a great mate.
John Purcell.
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A champion player, a champion teammate and a champion person.
A fitting tribute to Les and a testament to his football career.
Congratulations.
Mick Liubinskas.
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Finally, an outstanding article from Roy Masters, published on the NSWRL Website.
Please click on the link hereunder.
Boyd a deserved inclusion in NRL Hall of Fame: Masters | NSWRL
