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]

For the rugby league forward who played in the 1900s for Wakefield Trinity, see John Riley (rugby league).

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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