Ellery Hanley's best years undoubtedly happened away from Odsal but it didn't stop him being remembered with affection despite an acrimonious spit with the club in 1985.

From the moment he arrived on the Odsal scene from Leeds amateur rugby in the late 1970s he was never far away from the headlines. His brushes with the law at one stage threatened his career but no one ever doubted his ability as he proved with a memorable debut in a friendly at Batley in 1978.

Off-the-field problems meant it wasn't until 1981-82 that he started to fulfil his potential though - scoring 15 tries in his first full season.

Anyone who hadn't heard of him that season certainly did the following one when Hanley chose a Challenge Cup semi-final against Featherstone to announce to the world a special talent was born.

Northern went down 11-6 as Rovers went on to lift the cup but Hanley's sensational touchline dash from deep in his own half fending off tackler after tackler would figure in any try of the century competition.

But those who saw him in the 1984-85 season will simply never forget it as he plundered 52 tries

In our side Hanley was slotted in at centre allowing the mercurial talents of John Woods to figure at stand-off.

Woods' capture from Leigh for £65,000 paved the way for Hanley's departure and, although he never quite produced his best on the big occasion, he was on his day a player worth the admission money alone.

Alongside him Alan Redfearn was a unanimous choice. He was forced to bide his time at Odsal as Barry Seabourne bossed matters but the wait was well worth it as he developed into a marvellous all-rounder.

Keith Mumby's place at full-back was another sure-fire selection as he dominated the position just as much as he had in the 70s.

Another man to make both sides was David Redfearn, one of the fastest wingers in the club's history and a great club servant with over 300 appearances and 182 tries.

Phil Ford provides another top class finisher on the opposite flank.

Completing the three-quarters is Steve McGowan, the long-striding centre whom many judges thought never quite achieved his potential.

Our 80s pack has a real solid look about it. We couldn't look any further than Jeff Grayshon, Brian Noble and Kelvin Skerrett.

Grayshon, a back-rower in our 70s side, had made a successful switch to the front-row with his great ability to slip the ball in the tackle. Skerrett was another handful and a big success after being snapped up from Hunslet, while Noble was one of the most respected hookers in the game.

The second-row pairing also has bags of international experience.

David Hobbs, then with Feather-stone, was a colleague of Noble on the 1984 Lions tour before fine service at Odsal after a move from Oldham.

Another great Northern favourite was Karl Fairbank, signed from Elland amateurs in 1986. He made such a speedy transition to the pro ranks that he won selection for the Lions two years later.

Our starting line-up is completed by John Pendlebury, a bargain after financial problems set in at Halifax, who combined good ball skills with a non-stop approach to defence.

Graham Idle, another back-rower with a big heart, is our forward substitute while Kiwi Gary Mercer, who launched his career in England as a centre/winger with Northern in 1987, is our other choice on the bench.

Team of the 80s

1 Keith Mumby

2 Phil Ford

3 Ellery Hanley

4 Steve McGowan

5 David Redfearn

6 John Woods

7 Alan Redfearn

8 Jeff Grayshon

9 Brian Noble

10 Kelvin Skerrett

11 Karl Fairbank

12 David Hobbs

13 John Pendlebury

Subs

14 Gary Mercer

15 Graham Idle

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