Arthur Smith (rugby)

'Mad' Arthur Smith (birth unknown – death unknown) was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s and 1910s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Yorkley RFC and Cinderford R.F.C., and representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Oldham (Heritage No. 105) and Halifax (Heritage No. 234), as a forward (prior to the specialist positions of; prop, hooker, second-row, loose forward), during the era of contested scrums.[1] He fought when the First World War commenced and resumed his career after hostilities despite having a German bullet in his body for the rest of his days.[4][1][5]

For the English rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s, see Arthur Smith (rugby league).

Arthur Smith
Personal information
Full nameArthur Smith
Bornunknown
Diedunknown
Playing information
Rugby union
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1905–≤05 Yorkley RFC
≤1905–05 Cinderford R.F.C.
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Rugby league
PositionForward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1905–14 Oldham 247 21 63
1914–≥14 Halifax
Total 247 21 0 0 63
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1906–09 England 6 0 0 0 0
1908–09 Great Britain 6 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2][3]

Playing career

International honours

Arthur Smith won caps for England (RL) while at Oldham in 1906 against Other Nationalities, in 1908 against New Zealand, and Wales, in 1909 against Australia (3 matches),[2] and won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Oldham in 1908 against New Zealand (3 matches), and in 1908–09 against Australia (3 matches).[3][4]

Championship Final appearances

Arthur Smith played as a forward, i.e. number 12, in Oldham's 3–7 defeat by Wigan in the Championship Final during the 1908–09 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 1 May 1909.[6]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Arthur Smith played as a forward, i.e. number 10, in Oldham's 3–17 defeat by Warrington in the 1907 Challenge Cup Final during the 1906–07 season at Wheater's Field, Broughton, Salford on Saturday 27 April 1907 in front of a crowd of 18,500. and played as a forward, i.e. number 10, in the 5–8 defeat by Dewsbury in the 1912 Challenge Cup Final during the 1911–12 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 27 April 1912 in front of a crowd of 16,000.[7][8]

County Cup Final appearances

Arthur Smith played as a forward, i.e. number 12, in Oldham's 9–10 defeat by Wigan in the 1908 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1908–09 season at Wheater's Field, Broughton, Salford on Saturday 19 December 1908.[9]

Nickname

His intriguing sobriquet of 'Mad' was due to his forceful and enthusiastic style of play.[4]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. "The Great Match of the Edwardian Period". allgoldsrugby.com. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  5. "Statistics at orl-heritagetrust.org.uk". orl-heritagetrust.org.uk. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  6. "1908–1909 Championship Final". cherryandwhite.co.uk. wigan.rlfans.com. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 3 January 2012.
  7. "Ray French selects his top 10 Challenge Cup final shocks. No 6: 1912, Dewsbury 8-5 Oldham". bbc.co.uk. 27 February 2004. Retrieved 1 January 2005.
  8. Hoole, Les (1998). The Rugby League Challenge Cup – An Illustrated History. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-094-3
  9. "1908–1909 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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