Syd Walmsley


Sydney "Syd" Oglesby Walmsley was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1910s and 1920s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Millom, Leeds and Huddersfield, as a goal-kicking, i.e. number 1.

Background

Syd Walmsley's birth was registered in Bootle district, Cumberland, and his death was registered in Leeds district, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Syd Walmsley won caps for England while at Leeds in 1923 against Wales, and in 1924 against Wales.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Syd Walmsley played, and scored a try in Leeds’ 28-3 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1922–23 Challenge Cup Final during the 1922-23 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield, the only occasion the Challenge Cup final has ever been staged at Belle Vue.

County Cup Final appearances

Syd Walmsley played, and scored a try in Leeds’ 11-3 victory over Dewsbury in the 1921–22 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1921–22 season at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 26 November 1921, and played, and scored two-goals in Huddersfield’s 10-3 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1926–27 Yorkshire County Cup Final replay during the 1926–27 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Wednesday 1 December 1926, the initial match at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 27 November 1926 had been postponed due to fog.

Club career

Syd Walmsley played, and scored a try in Millom's 5-44 defeat by Leeds in the 1919-20 Challenge Cup first-round match during the 1919-20 season at Millom on Saturday 21 February 1920, impressing the Leeds management, he was transferred from Millom, and he made his début for Leeds in the 11-0 victory over Wakefield Trinity on Saturday 20 March 1920, he became a regular goal kicker at Leeds, and was Leeds' leading goal-scorer with 28-goals during the 1920-21 season, he was selected for the trial matches for the 1924 Great Britain Lions tour, but was ultimately not selected for Great Britain, with Ernie Knapman and Jim Sullivan, selected at for the tour of Australia, and New Zealand, though Charlie Pollard played in Great Britain's 11-13 defeat by New Zealand in the 2nd test match at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Wednesday 6 August 1924.

Outside of rugby league

Syd Walmsley ran a camp in the Yorkshire Dales for children as part of the evacuations of civilians in Britain during World War II.

Genealogical information

Syd Walmsley's marriage to Gladys Agnes was registered in Barrow-in-Furness district, Lancashire during third ¼ 1923. They had children Margaret Walmsley , and Anthony Walmsley .

Note

Syd's surname is variously spelt correctly with el-ee as Walmsley, or incorrectly with ee-el as Walmsely.