Harry Dale (rugby league)


Harry Dale, also known by the nicknames of "Squibber" and later "Scrubber", was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. He played at representative level for Yorkshire, and at club level for Newtown ARLFC , the Hull Kingston Rovers and Newcastle RLFC, as a or, i.e. number 6 or 7.

Background

Harry Dale was born in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England, he was a pupil at Buckingham Street School, Kingston upon Hull, he worked as a stevedore at the Port of Hull, he sustained a serious head injury while working with a Royal Engineers bomb disposal unit during World War II, he experienced ill-health in later life and following several spells in hospital, he died aged 61–62 in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Harry Dale was selected to play against Australia during the 1933–34 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain, but he had to withdraw due to a knee injury.

County honours

Harry Dale won 7-caps for Yorkshire while at Hull Kingston Rovers.

County Cup Final appearances

Harry Dale played and scored a try in the Hull Kingston Rovers' 13–7 victory over Hunslet F.C. in the 1929–30 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1929–30 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 30 November 1929, in front of a crowd of 11,000.

Club career

Harry Dale transferred from Newtown ARLFC to the Hull Kingston Rovers, he made his début for the Hull Kingston Rovers, he played against Hunslet F.C. at Parkside, Hunslet on Saturday 27 March 1926, he played his last match for the Hull Kingston Rovers, and scored a try against Leigh at Mather Lane, Leigh on Saturday 3 September 1938, and he transferred from Hull Kingston Rovers to Newcastle RLFC.

Testimonial match

A joint benefit season/testimonial match at Hull Kingston Rovers against Bramley during the 1937–38 season was shared by; Harry Dale and Jack Spamer, during April 1938 each player received £84.