IN another of our Bradford sports stars questionnaires, former West Bowling player turned fixture secretary David Garside talks Bowling glory days, his rugby league memories and selects several Bulls legends in his dream team.

Name: David Garside

Nickname: Nipper

Place of birth: Bradford

Age: 70

Occupation: Retired

Schools I attended: Low Moor C of E Primary School and Wyke Manor School

Clubs I played for: Clayton (1964-66) and West Bowling (1966-1989)

Q1: When did you first start playing rugby and what attracted you to it?

1964. I lived at Odsal Top, almost a stones throw from Odsal Stadium. My mother was a keen Bradford Northern fan. All my friends were interested in watching Northern, so I followed them and that is how I took up the sport.

Q2: What do you enjoy most about playing rugby for your current team?

I no longer play, but I am still actively involved with West Bowling as both a committee member and a volunteer.

Q3: What’s been the highlight of your rugby days?

Being part of the development of West Bowling ARLFC. From one open age team and one junior team club in 1966, to what it is now in 2020.The club is running 12 junior and youth teams along with two open age teams, all through club volunteers.

Over the years, there have been many highlights, but watching us, earlier this year, put up a great performance away at League One side Workington Town in the third round of the Challenge Cup is right up there.

Q4: Who do you look up to in rugby and why?

In my playing days, I would say the late Alan Schofield as he was my first Open age coach. Ex Northern player Alan Hepworth, the late Terry Langton and Bowling legend Glenn Barraclough are a few others.

Q5: Who has had the most influence on you as a rugby player and in what way?

The late Albert Fearnley and his team of coaching assistants. They ran coaching courses in the sixties on Odsal recreation ground for school boys. He taught you the basic skills of the game.

Q6: What’s your aims in rugby?

To keep on watching West Bowling and Bradford bulls, along with following the development of former Bowling junior players who make it into the professional game.

Q7: Tell us something nice about one of your teammates (and don’t forget to tell us who it is?)

John Helliwell. His amateur rugby career was cruelly cut short by a very serious leg/ankle fracture in the early seventies. Instead of walking away from the game, he got involved on the management committee. Over the years, him along with others, have been instrumental in maintaining a youth development policy at the club.

Q8: What do you find to be the most difficult aspect of playing rugby?

In my day, I would say the lack of decent training facilities during the winter months. Now I would say, the lack of commitment once players reach there late teens. Players are walking away from the game. It is causing problems for a lot of clubs up and down the country.

Q9: If you could pluck any player out of the Super League to play in your team who would it be and why?

Jake Trueman. An ex Bowling junior, already an international at a young age and the best of him is yet to come. I would also have another former Bowling junior, Elliott Whitehead from Canberra Raiders in the NRL. Elliott’s knowledge and experience of the game would be priceless to our current team and he is a great example to all young kids who take up the sport.

Q10: Which rugby team do you support and what’s been your favourite moment watching them?

Bradford Northern/ Bulls. The Bulls golden era (1997-2006) when they won almost everything. It is only now when you watch repeats of some of there finals on the TV, that you realise how good those teams were.

Q11: Who’s your rugby hero or heroes and why?

Former Northern full back Keith Mumby. In his prime, no one got past him. Peter Fox showed us he had other skills to his game when he played him at stand off against the all conquering Australians.

Q12: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

To keep fit and work hard on the field.

Q13: If you could choose to play rugby at any venue in the world, where would it be and why?

Wembley stadium. I have been many times to watch finals and test matches. To sample the atmosphere as the players enter the field of play, must be something special.

Q14: How much of your life does rugby take up?

Too much. Even now as a volunteer, I approximately spend 10 hours a week working during the season.

Q15: What or who motivates you ahead of a match?

The fact that I played for West Bowling was enough to motivate me and the coach at half time if things needed to be improved on the field of play.

Q16: Do you have a motto that you follow in rugby?

A: Be honest and have commitment for the team.

Q17: What lessons for life have you learned through rugby?

Have discipline and commitment.

Q18: List your rugby dream team with you in it (any player, any team, any level, any era):

Keith Mumby, Tevita Vaikona, Neil Fox, Shontayne Hape, Lesley Vainikolo, Leon Pryce, Robbie Paul, Jamie Peacock, James Lowes, Stuart Fielden, John Bateman, Elliott Whitehead, Ellery Hanley, Michael Withers, David Garside.