Wakefield Museums and Castles

'The mightiest kick on record'

Castleford Rugby League legend, Arthur Atkinson, scored a record breaking 75 yard goal kick with this ball. He achieved the feat during Castleford's victory against St. Helens, on 26 October 1929. The record reportedly remains unbroken.  

Atkinson played for Castleford from 1926 to 1942. He made 431 appearances. In 1935 he captained the team to glory in the cup final at Wembley. Castleford beat Huddersfield 11-8 in front of 39,000 spectators.

Atkinson also played eight times for England. He toured Australia and New Zealand in 1932 and 1936.  

After his rugby career, Atkinson managed the Empire Cinema in Normanton and the New Star Cinema in Castleford.

He died in 1963 aged 57.

A fundraising appeal in his memory paid for a new gate at Castleford's Wheldon Road ground.