Mirfield postie’s legendary rugby past

David Smith delivers mail to Frank Irish in Portal Drive, Mirfield.

But to the residents of Portal Crescent and Portal Drive, he’s a local rugby legend. They wrote to the Reporter singing the praises of the record-holding 60-year-old.

Mr Smith, from Westtown, has been on his Mirfield round for 11 years, but still enjoys talking Rugby League with the people on his round.

In the 1970s and 80s, Mr Smith played for England, as well as Wakefield Trinity, Leeds and Bradford Northern. He also holds the record for the most tries scored in a season for Wakefield - 38 - a record which will remain unbroken for 40 years in April.

Mr Smith said: “Those were good days. It was a part-time position then - it wasn’t like it is now.

“When I signed for Wakefield, we were paid £17 for a win and £7 for a loss and you didn’t get anything if you didn’t play.”