Ian Van Bellen
FirstRU
Birth date30 October 1945
Birth placeHuddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Death date30 July 2019 (aged 73)
Ru club 1Huddersfield R.U.F.C.
Club 1Huddersfield
Year1start1963
Year1end70
Appearances 1161+5
Tries 126
Goals 13
Fieldgoals 10
Points 184
Club 2Castleford
Year2start1970
Year2end73
Appearances 251
Tries 211
Goals 25
Fieldgoals 23
Points 249
Club 3Huddersfield
Year3start1973
Year3end77
Club 4Bradford Northern
Year4start1977
Year4end80
Appearances 463+23
Tries 47
Goals 41
Fieldgoals 40
Points 423
Club 5Fulham RLFC
Year5start1980
Year5end81
Appearances 520+2
Tries 54
Goals 50
Fieldgoals 50
Points 512
Club 6Blackpool Borough
Year6start1981
Year6end82
Appearances 623+1
Tries 62
Goals 60
Fieldgoals 60
Points 66
Club 7Halifax
Year7start1982
Year7end83
Appearances 733
Tries 71
Goals 70
Fieldgoals 70
Points 73
Club 8Kent Invicta
Year8start1983
Year8end84
Appearances 819+5
Tries 82
Goals 80
Fieldgoals 80
Points 88
Club 9Keighley
Year9start1984
Year9end85
Appearances 94
Tries 90
Goals 90
Fieldgoals 90
Points 90
TeamaGreat Britain U24
Yearastart1969
Appearancesa1
Triesa0
Goalsa0
Fieldgoalsa0
Pointsa0
Newyes

Ian Van Bellen (30 October 1945 – 30 July 2019), also known by the nickname of "Selwyn" (after his perceived facial similarity to Bill Maynard who appeared in Oh No, It's Selwyn Froggitt!), was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s.

He played club level rugby union for Huddersfield R.U.F.C., and club level rugby league for Huddersfield, Castleford, Bradford Northern, Fulham RLFC, Blackpool Borough, Halifax, Kent Invicta and Keighley as a .[1][2][3]

Background

Ian Van Bellen was born in Huddersfield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

Castleford

Van Bellen started his rugby league career at Huddersfield, and signed for Castleford in September 1970.[4] He played in Castleford's 7–11 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1971 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1971–72 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 21 August 1971.

He returned to Huddersfield in April 1973 as part of an exchange deal for second-row forward Trevor Chawner.[5]

Bradford Northern

Van Bellen was signed by Bradford Northern in October 1977 for a fee of £1,500.[6] At the end of the 1978–79 season, he appeared as an substitute in Bradford Northern's 2–24 defeat against Leeds in the 1978–79 Premiership Final at Fartown, Huddersfield on 27 May 1979. He was also a substitute in the club's 6–0 victory over Widnes in the 1979–80 John Player Trophy Final during the 1979–80 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 5 January 1980.

Later career

In July 1980, Van Bellen was signed by new club Fulham RLFC for a fee of £5,000. He played in the club's first ever competitive match against Wigan at Craven Cottage on 14 September 1980.

In August 1984, Van Bellen joined Keighley.[7] He retired from playing in 1985.[6]

Representative career

While playing for Huddersfield, Van Bellen made one appearance for the Great Britain under-24 team in a 42–2 win against France under-24's on 17 April 1969 at Wheldon Road, Castleford.[8]

Personal life

Van Bellen is the older brother of Gary Van Bellen, who also played rugby league. They played together at Bradford Northern.

Van Bellen retrieved the "Fartown Stone" from the Fartown Ground when a section of the ground was being demolished. The "Fartown Stone" now resides at the Kirklees Stadium, Huddersfield.[9][10]

Van Bellen died in July 2019, aged 73.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2019.
  2. ^ David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000) "Images of Sport - Castleford Rugby League - A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0752418957
  3. ^ "Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk. 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 10 June 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  4. ^ "Walsh makes certain". The Guardian. 30 Sep 1970. p. 19.
  5. ^ "Bradford have only one doubt". The Guardian. 5 April 1973. p. 22.
  6. ^ "Former Bradford Northern forward Ian Van Bellen dies, aged 73". thetelegraphandargus.co.uk. 5 August 2019. Retrieved 6 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Sport In Brief". The Guardian. 24 August 1984. p. 20.
  8. ^ Saxton, Irvin (ed.). History of Rugby League: No.74 1968–1969. League Publications. p. 13.
  9. ^ "Giants Supporters - Heritage". giantssupporters.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 21 June 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  10. ^ "Huddersfield RL Heritage - Archive". huddersfieldrlheritage.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.