Bradford Dudley Hill RLFC

It is with great sadness that we at Bradford Dudley Hill have learnt of Gary Hallas’s sad departure from life. It is the second early death in the club this year of two tremendous characters within our club as we lost Andy Kopczack only recently which Gary had attended his funeral and caught up with a most of his former teamates.

Gary Hallas played for the club from a very young age, he was 10 years old with the clubs U11’s from 1977 then finished playing 1994 over 17 years service.

Within that 17 years Gary develop into an outstanding competitor within the clubs successful open age playing structure. Gary played most of his playing life in the 1st team in the National Conference League Premier League making over 250 appearances. Gary was always full on in this tough contact sport of rugby league football but was a true gentleman off the field. His enthusiasm and loyalty towards the club and his mates was outstanding and was an uncompromising defender which brought great respect from his team mates and competitors.


Gary was tough, resilient and aggressive on the field but off the field he was a true gentlemen and was always passing on valuable advice to his younger youthful team mates. He was a very witty character always full of laughter away from the game and was always well respected throughout the game. As a junior Gary was an very talented stand off half with great potential and had a successful junior career winning many league and cup Championships with Bradford Dudley Hill.

Gary played in the same team at Bradford Dudley Hill as his younger brother Graeme who progressed to have an outstanding professional playing career and who went on to represent his country for Great Britain on their tour of Australia. Gary always laid claim to his brothers development as a player due to the fact that as children he would knock ten lumps out of his brother when playing in the park together. However Gary openly admitted openly that the problem was as Graeme progressed, he was struggling to catch him.


Gary had many highlights in his career at Bradford Dudley Hill at both junior and senior level. Probably his greatest season came in 1989 when helping Bradford Dudley Hill to win the Premiership National Conference League Championship. Gary scored over 20 tries in that season and developed into a powerful wing three-quarter.


Our heartfelt feeling go out to his parents Rodger and Jean and all his family. Gary was always well supported by his father Rodger who himself had a very successful carrier. Gary will be sadly missed as he often called into the club on match days. His infectious enthusiasm and often witty character was very special and all at the club have great sympathy for his wife and young family.

Picture attached show Garys father Roger (behind Peter Roe) with members of the clubs management and Head Coach Peter Roe with the Conference Premier division trophy in 1989.

Bradford Dudley Hill Chairman
Kevin Lockett