It’s been a bad few weeks for Whitehaven rugby league with the passing of former playing heroes.
Following the deaths of Gordon Cottier and Billy Fisher, news has emerged from Australia that Louis Shepherd has died.
One of the hardest, and most fearsome tacklers in the game, Louis played 172 times for Whitehaven, and also made 18 appearances for Workington Town.
The cousin of another popular west Cumbrian rugby league player Sid Lowden, young Shepherd started his career with Hensingham.
At school he had been a prolific centre-forward for the Whitehaven GS football team but also shone at rugby union.
The Hensingham amateur club provided his formative years in the League game and he played through to the Under-19s age group before signing for Whitehaven.
He had actually played a trial for Warrington but opted not to sign because of home sickness and after turning down an opportunity to trial at Hunslet joined Whitehaven under Nev Emery.
His debut came at Oldham in March 1957 – a 28-5 win for the Roughyeds – but over the next two seasons he established himself as a rugged, no-nonsense centre or winger, who sometimes reluctantly appeared at full-back.
He was also involved in a controversial incident in the 1959/60 season when he clashed with a referee. When asked for his name he simply replied “it’s in the programme” and as he didn’t appear at the disciplinary hearing after being sent-off he was handed a sine-die suspension.
That was later dramatically reduced ion appeal and he was able to resume playing, although not for long as he had to do his National Service.
While in the forces he represented the Army in a sprint event at International Championships in the Olympic Stadium, Berlin.
He resumed his career at the Recreation Ground but left under a cloud when he was not granted the benefit he said had been promised.
That took him to Workington for a short three-year career (18 games) before he returned to Whitehaven, but only appeared in one more game as a substitute in September 1974.
He also played five ties for Cumberland in County Championship fixtures, scoring two tries.
Louis emigrated to Australia a good many years ago and died at Narrabri, New South Wales after a short illness.
