William Mercer (rugby league)

William Mercer
Ogden's Cigarette card featuring William Mercer
Personal information
Full name William Mercer
Nickname Billy
Born May 1906
St. Helens
Playing information
Position Wing, Centre, Second-row, Loose forward/Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1925–37 St. Helens 311 75 0 0 225
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
29 Oct 1929–≤37 Lancashire 5
1930 England 1 0 0 0 0
Source: rugbyleagueproject.org englandrl.co.uk

William "Billy" Mercer (May 1906[1] — death unknown) born in St Helens, Merseyside, was an English joiner for St. Helens Council , and professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s and '30s, playing at representative level for England, and Lancashire, and at club level for St. Helens (captain), as a Wing, Centre, Second-row or Loose forward/Lock, i.e. number 2 or 5, 3 or 4, 11 or 12, or 13.

Playing career

International honours

Billy Mercer won a cap for England while at St. Helens in the 19-35 defeat by Other Nationalities at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Monday 7 April 1930.[2]

County honours

Bill Mercer made his début for Lancashire in the 15-7 victory over Cumberland at Whitehaven on Tuesday 29 October 1929, alongside fellow St. Helens player Alf Ellaby who scored three tries, two further victories alongside Alf Ellaby, against Yorkshire and Glamorgan/Monmouthshire won the County Championship for Lancashire.

Rugby Football League Championship final appearances

Bill Mercer played Centre, i.e. number 3 in St. Helens' 9–5 victory over Huddersfield in the 1931–32 Rugby Football League Championship final at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 7 May 1932.

Rugby League County League appearances

Bill Mercer played in St. Helens' 1929–30, and 1931–32 Lancashire League victories.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Bill Mercer played Centre, i.e. number 4 in St. Helens' 3-10 defeat by Widnes in the 1929–30 Challenge Cup final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 3 May 1930.

Club career

Bill Mercer made his début for St. Helens in the 15-3 victory over Batley at Knowsley Road on Saturday 26 September 1925, and scored his first try in the 55-6 victory over Bradford Northern at Odsal Stadium on Wednesday 14 April 1926, his final match was the 7-25 defeat by Warrington at Knowsley Road on Saturday 6 November 1937. Bill Mercer did not play in St. Helens's 10-2 victory over Widnes in the 1926 Lancashire Cup final during the 1926–27 season on Saturday 20 November 1926, George Cotton, and Alf Ellaby played as Wings, Alf Frodsham, and George Lewis played as Centres, and Les Fairclough played as Stand-off/Five-eighth.[3]

References

  1. ↑ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  2. ↑ "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Profile at saints.org.uk". saints.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.

External links