Jack Riley (rugby league)

Jack Riley (c. 1874 – 19 June 1924) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Halifax, as a forward (prior to the specialist positions of; prop, hooker, second-row, loose forward), during the era of contested scrums, and represented England in the first ever international rugby league game in 1904.[1]

Jack Riley
Personal information
Bornc. 1874
Died19 June 1924 (aged 50)
Halifax, England
Playing information
Rugby union
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1893–95 Halifax
Rugby league
PositionForward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1895–07 Halifax
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1904 England 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Playing career

Riley started his rugby career with his local team in the village of Luddenden Foot, aged 17. In October 1893, he was signed by Halifax.[3]

International honours

Jack Riley won a cap playing as a forward, i.e. number 10 (in an experimental 12-a-side team), for England in the 3-9 defeat by Other Nationalities at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 5 April 1904,[2] in the first ever international rugby league match.[4]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Jack Riley played as a forward, i.e. number 8, in Halifax's 7-0 victory over Salford in the 1902–03 Challenge Cup Final during the 1902–03 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 25 April 1903, in front of a crowd of 32,507,[5] and played as a forward, i.e. number 12, in the 8-3 victory over Warrington in the 1903–04 Challenge Cup Final during the 1903–04 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 30 April 1904, in front of a crowd of 17,041.[6]

Personal life

After retiring from rugby, Riley became a pub licensee. On 19 June 1924, Riley died at the Old King Cross Inn in Halifax, aged 50. He was buried in Stoney Royd Cemetery.[7]

References

  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Jack Riley Dead - A Notable Figure in Halifax Football". Halifax Daily Courier & Guardian. 20 June 1924. p. 6 via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. Fagan, Sean. "The First International Rugby League Match". rl1895.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2004. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  5. Irvin Saxton (publish date tbc) "History of Rugby League – № 7 – 1902–03". Rugby Leaguer ISBN n/a
  6. Irvin Saxton (publish date tbc) "History of Rugby League – № 8 – 1903–04". Rugby Leaguer ISBN n/a
  7. "Mr. Jack Riley - Funeral To-day". Halifax Daily Courier & Guardian. 21 June 1924. p. 5 via British Newspaper Archive.
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