Eric Batten started his rugby career playing rugby union at Sandal RUFC before signing for the rugby league club Wakefield Trinity in September 1933. He made his début for Wakefield Trinity in the 9–3 victory over Bradford Northern at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 30 September 1933. He played 41 matches for Wakefield Trinity, scoring 12 tries in those matches, including a hat-trick against Hull Kingston Rovers in March 1936, before he moved to Hunslet in September 1936 for £400. During the war years, Eric returned to Wakefield Trinity as a World War IIguest, playing two matches in May 1940, and one February 1943, in these three wartime matches he scored eight tries, including four against Huddersfield in May 1940, making his club total 20 tries in 44 appearances. he also played one match for Castleford as a World War IIguest, he played on the wing against Dewsbury at Crown Flatt, Dewsbury on Saturday 14 February 1942.
International honours
Eric Batten won caps for England while at Hunslet in 1938 against Wales, in 1939 against France, and Wales, in 1940 against Wales, in 1941 against Wales, in 1943 against Wales, while at Bradford Northern in 1944 against Wales, in 1945 against Wales (2 matches), in 1946 against France (2 matches), and Wales, in 1947 against France, in 1948 against France,[2] and won caps for Great Britain while at Bradford Northern in 1946 against Australia (2 matches), New Zealand, and in 1947 against New Zealand.[3]
Eric Batten made his début for Featherstone Rovers on Saturday 2 December 1939.[12]
Coaching career
Club career
Eric Batten was the coach of Batley from October 1956 to April 1958.
Honoured at Featherstone Rovers
Eric Batten is a Featherstone Rovers Hall of Fame inductee.[13]
Genealogical information
Eric Batten was the son of the rugby league footballer Billy Batten. Eric Batten's marriage to Annie (née Saxton, born c. 1914 in Wakefield district – died aged 81 on 13 April 1995) was registered during first 1⁄4 1937 in Wakefield district.[14] They had children; John Michael Batten (birth registered third 1⁄4 1940 in Hemsworth district) Janet Batten (birth registered first 1⁄4 1951 (age 72–73) in Hemsworth district), and Gaynor Batten (birth registered second 1⁄4 1953 (age 70–71) in Hemsworth district). He was buried at Lawnswood Cemetery, Leeds.