Russell Pepperell

Russell Pepperell
Personal information
Full name George Russell Pepperell
Nickname Russ
Born 23 April 1918
Seaton district, Cumberland, England
Died 15 January 2003 (aged 84)
Bundaberg, Australia
Playing information
Position Fullback, Wing, Centre, Stand-off/Five-eighth
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
Seaton
1938–56 Huddersfield 350 300
Total 350 300 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1948 Cumberland
1947–49 England 4 1 0 0 3
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
Huddersfield
Keighley
1964–65 Manly-Warringah 36 11 1 24 31
Total 36 11 1 24 31
Source: RLP englandrl.co.uk

George Russell "Russ" Pepperell (born 23 April 1918 in Seaton district, Cumberland[1] — died 15 January 2003 (aged 84) in Bundaberg, Australia[2]) was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, and coach of the 1950s and 60s. He played at representative level for England, and Cumberland, and at club level for Seaton, and Huddersfield all over the back-line. Pepperell later coached Huddersfield and Keighley before moving to Sydney join the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Pepperell was the middle brother of the rugby league footballers Stanley Pepperell, and Albert Pepperell. He started playing professionally for Huddersfield in 1938.

Pepperell was a Lance Corporal in the British Army during World War II.[3] He was a reserve for Northern Command XIII against a Rugby League XIII at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 21 March 1942.[3]

Pepperell represented Cumberland and also won caps for England while at Huddersfield in 1947 against France, and Wales, in 1948 against Wales, and in 1949 against France.[4]

Pepperell played at stand-off half back in Huddersfield's 2–20 defeat by Wigan in the Rugby Football League Championship final during the 1949–50 season at Maine Road, Manchester on Saturday 13 May 1950.[5] Pepperell's Testimonial match at Huddersfield took place in 1950.

Russell Pepperell played Centre, i.e. number 3, in Huddersfield's 15-10 victory over St. Helens in the 1953 Challenge Cup final during the 1952-53 season at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 25 April 1953.[6]

Pepperell played Stand-off/Five-eighth in Huddersfield's 4-11 defeat by Bradford Northern in the 1949 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1949–50 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1949, played, and scored 2-tries in the 16-3 victory over Castleford in the 1950 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1950–51 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 4 November 1950, and played Stand-off/Five-eighth in the 18-8 victory over Batley in the 1952 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1952–53 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 15 November 1952.

After he finished playing, Pepperell became Huddersfield's coach. He later moved to Australia as coach if Sydney's Manly-Warringah club for the 1964 NSWRFL season. He remained in the position for one more season. Pepperell stayed in Australia and died in Queensland in 2003.

References

  1. ↑ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "Search the Bundaberg Cemetery". bundaberg.qld.gov.au. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "inside programme, Northern Command v. A Rugby League XIII, 1942". rugbyleagueoralhistory.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. ↑ "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. ↑ "1949-1950 Championship Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. ↑ McCorquodale, London S.E (25 April 1953). The Rugby League Challenge Cup Competition - Final Tie - Huddersfield v St. Helens - Match Programme. Wembley Stadium Ltd. ISBN n/a

External links