Tom Banks (rugby)


Thomas "Tom" Banks was an English rugby union footballer who played in the 1880s and 1890s. He played at representative level for British Isles, and Lancashire, and at club level for Swinton, as a half-back, three-quarters, or forward. Prior to Tuesday 2 June 1896, Swinton were a rugby union club.

Background

Thomas Banks' birth was registered in Salford, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Tom Banks won cap for British Isles while at Swinton on the 1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia, against Otago on Saturday 28 April 1888, against Otago on Wednesday 2 May 1888, against Canterbury on Wednesday 9 May 1888, against Wellington on Saturday 12 May 1888, against Queensland on Saturday 25 August 1888, against Newcastle on Wednesday 29 August 1888, against Auckland on 8 September 1888, and against Auckland on Wednesday 12 September 1888.

Change of code

When Swinton converted from the rugby union code to the rugby league code on Tuesday 2 June 1896, Tom Banks would have been approximately 37 years of age. Consequently, he was not both a rugby union and rugby league footballer for Swinton.

Outside of rugby

Tom Banks studied at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, while there, he won the long-distance swimming championship.