DUDLEY Kingswinford has honoured the achievements of an almost forgotten rugby league star that started his career at the club.

Former team-mates of Cliff Watson have unveiled a framed display of rugby shirts at Heathbrook in the hope that his career can be remembered for years to come

The display was revealed as ex-players from the club's Penzer Street days gathered for their annual reunion last month. This year they chose to highlight the exploits, both at home and internationally, of Watson.

Now living in Australia, very little is known locally of his brilliant achievements on the rugby field.

Born in London in 1940, Watson and his family moved to Dudley after their home was destroyed in a Second World War bombing raid. It has here he linked up with DK and forced his way into the first team as a prop.

By 1959, at the age of just 19, he had played for the combined counties side of Worcester & Hereford RFU.

Unfortunately for Rugby Union, Midlands Rugby and Dudley Kingswinford in particular, Watson saw an advertisement placed by St Helens offering employment and the opportunity to play Rugby League and to be paid for the privilege.

St Helens were more than happy with the lad from Dudley as he went on to make a total of 373 appearances.

His progress was rapid and just eighteen months after joining St Helens he played prop in the 1961 Rugby League Cup Final at Wembley as the club defeated Wigan in front of 95,000 spectators.

He again went to Wembley five years later to face the same opponents and come away with the same winning result.

Watson was a permanent fixture in the side over the next 10 seasons, becoming known for his physical, fearless style of play. He was eventually to be voted in the club's top 17 players over their 120 year history.

However, his decision to switch codes was a controversial one in those days and the Rugby Union edict at that time meant that he was to be ostracised after relinquishing his amateur status. Not only would he never again be allowed to play for a union club, but neither would he be granted access to any union premises.

Unfazed, Watson became an England player, receiving his first cap in 1963 against Australia and over the next seven years played in 34 internationals, playing in both the 1968 and 1970 World Cup tournaments and even captaining his country in 1968.

He also went on to represent Great Britain in 30 tests, touring Australia three times. He also still holds the unwanted record of being the only British player to have been sent off twice against Australia.

Watson finished his playing days in Australia with Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and finally with Wollongong Wolves before retiring in 1974. He remained in Australia and still lives near Sydney.

However, back at his former club in Wall Heath, his old team-mates are determined not to let his achievement be forgotten.

Bob McMaster, who played with Watson in the late 50s, said: "Without a doubt it is important for people to remember Cliff.

"There has always been a photo of him in action at the club but not a great mention of how difficult it would have been for him switching between the two codes.

"I always felt we needed something more substantial in the clubhouse to highlight this illustrious rugby players who reached the pinnacle of his sport.

"We got in touch with Cliff and had some photos sent over and were able to have some replica shirts made like those he wore in his playing days. We're really pleased to honour him in this way."