Tommy Smales

Thomas Smales (born 19 December 1938 (1938)) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at club level for Wigan,[4] Barrow and Featherstone Rovers as a loose forward,[1][5] and coached at club level for Dewsbury (two spells), Featherstone Rovers, Bramley, Doncaster and Batley.[2]

Not to be confused with the former rugby league scrum-half for Great Britain and England, Thomas Smales.

Tommy Smales
Personal information
Full nameThomas Smales
Playing information
PositionLoose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1958–60 Wigan 11 3 4 17
1960–65 Barrow
1965–69 Featherstone Rovers 130 24 269 610
Total 141 27 273 0 627
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1973 Dewsbury
1974 Featherstone Rovers 7 3 43
1977 Bramley
1978 Doncaster
1979–81 Batley
1983–84 Dewsbury
Total 7 3 0 0 43
Source: [1][2][3]

Background

Smales' birth was registered in Pontefract district, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.[6]

He is the father of the rugby league footballer; Ian Smales.

Playing career

Smales made his début for Wigan in the 46–5 victory over Featherstone Rovers at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 20 September 1958, he scored his first try (2-tries) for Wigan in the 23–16 victory over Rochdale Hornets at Athletic Ground, Rochdale on Saturday 4 October 1958, he scored his last try for Wigan in the 16–14 victory over Swinton at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 23 April 1960, and he played his last match for Wigan in the 17–23 defeat by Hunslet at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 10 September 1960,[7] and made his début for Featherstone Rovers on Saturday 23 August 1952.[8]

After a period spent playing for Barrow, Smales then played for Featherstone Rovers (Heritage № 456). He played loose forward, and scored 3-goals in Featherstone Rovers' 12–25 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1966–67 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1966–67 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1966. Smales played loose forward, scored a try, two conversion's, and a penalty, in Featherstone Rovers' 17–12 victory over Barrow in the 1966–67 Challenge Cup Final during the 1966–67 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 13 May 1967, in front of a crowd of 76,290. He played loose forward in Featherstone Rovers' 9–12 defeat by Hull F.C. in the 1969–70 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1969–70 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 20 September 1969.

Coaching career

During the 1972–73 Northern Rugby Football League season Smales was the coach in Dewsbury's 22–13 victory over Leeds in the Championship Final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 19 May 1973. Smales was the coach of Batley from June 1979 to October 1981.

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. "Tommy Smales". fevarchive.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
  4. "Heritage Numbers - In Debut Order". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. Bailey, Ron (1956). The Official History of Featherstone Rovers R.L.F.C.. Wakefield Express. ASIN: B00O1TLDPC
  6. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  7. "Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  8. Bailey, Ron (20 September 2001). Images of Sport – Featherstone Rovers Rugby League Football Club. The History Press. ISBN 0752422952
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