Harry Poole (rugby league)

Harry Poole (23 March 1935 – 26 March 1977) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1970s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Lock Lane ARLFC (in Castleford), Hunslet and Hull Kingston Rovers (captain), as a second-row, or loose forward, and coached at club level for Hunslet, Castleford and Hull Kingston Rovers.[4][5]

Harry Poole
Personal information
Full nameHarry Poole[1]
Born(1935-03-23)23 March 1935[1]
Castleford, England
Died26 March 1977(1977-03-26) (aged 42)[2]
Pontefract, England
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Loose forward
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1956–61Hunslet
1961–66Hull Kingston Rovers123270081
Total123270081
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1964–66Great Britain30000
Coaching information
Club
YearsTeamGmsWDLW%
1969–71Hunslet
1971–72Castleford472631855
1975–77Hull Kingston Rovers
Total472631855
Source: [3]

Background

Harry Poole was born in Castleford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he died aged 42 of a myocardial infarction (heart attack) in Pontefract, West Yorkshire, England.[6]

Playing career

International honours

Harry Poole won caps for Great Britain while at Hull Kingston Rovers in 1964 against France, and in 1966 against New Zealand (2 matches).[3]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Harry Poole played loose forward, and was captain in Hull Kingston Rovers' 5-13 defeat by Widnes in the 1963–64 Challenge Cup Final during the 1963–64 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 9 May 1964, in front of a crowd of 84,488.[7][8]

Eastern Division Championship Final appearances

Harry Poole played, and was captain in Hull Kingston Rovers' 13-10 victory over Huddersfield in the Eastern Division Championship final during the 1962–63 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 10 November 1962.

County Cup Final appearances

Harry Poole played loose forward, and was captain in Hull Kingston Rovers' 2-12 defeat by Hunslet in the 1962–63 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1962–63 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 27 October 1962.This was before substitutes were allowed, and Rovers finished up with 9 men after 4 players were injured.

Coaching career

County Cup Final appearances

Harry Poole was the coach in Castleford's 7-11 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1971–72 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1971–72 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 21 August 1971.

Club career

Harry Poole was the coach of Hunslet from 1969[9] to 1971,[10] he was the coach of Castleford, his first game in charge was on 6 January 1971, and his last game in charge was on 30 April 1972,[5] and he was the coach of Hull Kingston Rovers until his death on 26 March 1977.

References