Harold Buck was a British rugby league footballer. In 1921, Buck became rugby league's first £1,000 player when transferred from Hunslet to Leeds (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £139,000 in 2007) Mystery has always surrounded Harold Buck. There is no disputing his outstanding ability, best exemplified in his majestic performance in the demolition of Hull in 1923 Challenge Cup Final when he scored one try and set up two of the others. The conundrum is whether he really was the first £1000 transfer when he moved across the city in November 1921 as it was rumoured that another Hunslet player was also involved in the deal. He became part of the famous Leeds backline the ‘Busy B’s’ along with Messers Bowen, Binks and Britain which terrorised unwary defences in the twenties scoring 72 tries in 99 appearances for Leeds. One of the earliest ‘stars’ at Headingley, he developed a great personal following with his thrilling dashes down flank. Harold was unlucky never to get a call up to the Great Britain side, the nearest he came to International recognition was in 1924 when at Headingley he made a replacement appearance in a Test trial.
