Everyone at the Club were saddened to hear news of Alan Easterbook’s passing on the 14th September, aged 93.
Born in the Cumbrian village of Harriston on 14th March 1931, Alan joined Salford at the age of 18 from Aspatria Rangers during December 1949 having been spotted by a club scout.
Employed as a mining apprentice, he became a regular choice in the ‘A’ (reserve) team’s three-quarter line, initially commuting from his home in Maryport.
His first team debut came on a Wednesday evening, occupying the right wing at St Helens on 19th April 1950.
Three days later he scored a vital try just 12 minutes from time as Salford defeated visiting Rochdale Hornets 15-10 in what was the final match of the 1949-50 season, the Red Devils narrowly missing out on a top-four play-off finish.
With established speedsters like George Aspinall and Syd Williams blocking his way, he made just four appearances on the wing during 1950-51.
He was not selected again until 1952-53, when his combined strength and pace came to the fore and he was picked 13 times, eight in the centre and five at loose-forward.
But opportunities continued to be limited and he transferred to Swinton ahead of the 1954-55 season after making the last of 22 Salford appearances on the 21st November 1953 at home to Warrington. With Swinton he established himself in the second-row, playing in 45 matches.
Having married he decided to return to his home county, playing his final two senior games on loan to Workington Town during April 1956 before rejoining the amateur ranks with Maryport’s Risehow and Gillhead.
