Harry Murphy


Harry Murphy 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, and Keighley, as a, or, i.e. number 11 or 12, or 13.

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, and a cap for Great Britain while at Wakefield Trinity in 1950 against Australia.

County Honours

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

County Cup Final appearances

Harry Murphy played left-, i.e. number 11, in Wakefield Trinity’s 2-5 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1945–46 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1945–46 season at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 3 November 1945, played right-, i.e. number 12, in the 10–0 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1946–47 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1946–47 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 31 November 1946, played left- in the 7–7 draw with Leeds in the 1947 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1947–48 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 1 November 1947, and played left- in the 8–7 victory over Leeds in the 1947–48 Yorkshire County 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, 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. 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.
"… Kelly joined Trinity from Keighley R.L. in an exchange deal with Harry Murphy in season 1952-3…".