Everyone at Salford Red Devils was most saddened to learn of the passing of former scrum-half, Trevor Rabbitt, earlier last month, at the age of 81.
Trevor had been born, and brought up, in Warrington, and prior to turning professional, had played for Cadishead & Irlam, but, on the 15th March, 1962, he signed for Salford, and, just two days later, made his debut in the first team, as a result of an injury to regular half-back, Jackie Brennan.
Unfortunately, the time he spent here saw him competing against some exceptionally talented and renowned players, for a place in the team, and because of that he was limited to a total of 101first team outings.
The remainder of his seven and a half seasons was spent mainly in the ‘A’ team, which was, in itself quite an achievement because the Salford ‘A’ team of that era was exceptionally good, playing a very similar brand of attractive rugby to the first team, and attracting crowds, of which many a first team would have been proud.
Trevor’s leadership skills later brought him its captaincy, which was only a just and fitting reward for his commitment and dedication to that team.
He was, nevertheless, in recognition of his fine ball-playing skills, and after having been on the bench for the the semi-final success over Warrington, once again, announced as a member of the team of fifteen selected for the 1969 Challenge Cup Final, against Castleford, at Wembley. Sadly, on the day, this did not materialise into his involvement at all.
Two months later, he played his last game for the Red Devils, in the first round of the Lancashire Cup, away at Wigan, and three months after that he moved to Rochdale Hornets, for whom he made his debut in a home fixture against Huyton, the first of a total of 37 outings, and the last of which came in September 1971, away at Oldham.
Trevor’s final two years were spent as an integral part of the Hornets’ ‘A’ team, until he eventually retired at the end of his eleven-year career.
Our sympathies are with the family and friends of this dedicated and talented Salford stalwart.
Acknowledgments
Graham Morris – Club Historian
Paul Whiteside – photograph
