Harry Murphy

Harry Murphy
Personal information
Full name	Harry Murphy
Born	26 August 1920; Wakefield, England
Died	second ¼ 1981 (aged 60); Wakefield, England
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Loose forward
Club
Representative
	Source:

Harry Murphy (26 August 1920 – second ¼ 1981) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, Castleford, and Keighley, as a second-row, or loose forward.^[1]

Background

Harry Murphy's birth was registered in Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he died aged 60 in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. The pub called "Harry's Bar" at 107B Westgate, Wakefield is named after Harry Murphy.

Playing career

International honours

Harry Murphy won caps for England while at Wakefield Trinity in 1946 against France, and Wales,^[2] and a cap for Great Britain while at Wakefield Trinity in 1950 against Australia.^[3]

County Honours

Harry Murphy was selected for Yorkshire County XIII while at Wakefield Trinity during the 1948/49 season.^[4]

County Cup Final appearances

Harry Murphy played at second-row in Wakefield Trinity’s 2-5 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1945–46 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1945–46 season at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 3 November 1945, played at second-row in the 10–0 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1946–47 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1946–47 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 31 November 1946, played at second-row in the 7–7 draw with Leeds in the 1947 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1947–48 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 1 November 1947, and played at second-row in the 8–7 victory over Leeds in the 1947–48 Yorkshire Cup Final replay during the 1947–48 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 November 1947.

Club career

Harry Murphy made his début for Wakefield Trinity during April 1940, and he played his last match for Wakefield Trinity during October 1952 , he appears to have scored no drop-goals (or field-goals as they are currently known in Australasia), but prior to the 1974–75 season all goals, whether; conversions, penalties, or drop-goals, scored 2-points, consequently prior to this date drop-goals were often not explicitly documented, therefore '0' drop-goals may indicate drop-goals not recorded, rather than no drop-goals scored. In addition, prior to the 1949–50 season, the archaic field-goal was also still a valid means of scoring points.

Contemporaneous Article Extract

One of the many “home-grown” players who have made the full journey from the City Schools R.L. to the international arena. Centre with St. Austin’s School, became a forward with Trinity's own junior side. Joined Trinity 1937. In post-war football he went on to play for England, Yorkshire and Great Britain, touring twice.^[5]

"…(Bob) Kelly joined Trinity from Keighley R.L. in an exchange deal with Harry Murphy in season 1952-3…".^[6]

References

^ ^a ^b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
^ ^a ^b "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 November 1994. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
^ ^a ^b "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 30 November 1994. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
^ Lindley, John (1960). Dreadnoughts - A HISTORY OF Wakefield Trinity F. C. 1873 - 1960 [Page118]. John Lindley Son & Co Ltd. ISBN n/a
^ Lindley, John (1960). Dreadnoughts - A HISTORY OF Wakefield Trinity F. C. 1873 - 1960. John Lindley Son & Co Ltd. ISBN n/a
^ Lindley, John (1960). Dreadnoughts - A HISTORY OF Wakefield Trinity F. C. 1873 - 1960 [Page 98]. John Lindley Son & Co Ltd. ISBN n/a