Profile

Sam Lees was born in the village of Lees in 1871 and was a founder member of the Leesfield Trinity club. He joined Oldham F.C. in 1891 and played in every back position, but his specialist spot was at centre. Sam soon established himself in the senior side where he formed part of a formidable threequarter line up with Bill McCutcheon, Dai Gwynn and Jack Hurst.

Capped by Lancashire, Sam played in many “Roses” encounters and is the central figure in a painting by the artist W.B. Wollen, which depicts a Lancashire v Yorkshire county match from the early 1895, which has pride of place in Rugby Union H.Q. at Twickenham.

In the club’s first match in the Northern Union at Hunslet, Sam scored a try and kicked a goal and would go on to top the ‘Oldham goal kicking list for the first six seasons under the new code.

He took over as captain in 1897 upon the retirement of Harry Varley, but relinquished the leadership to namesake (no relation) Arthur part way through the following season. He did however retain his place in the senior team, being a try scorer in the Challenge Cup Final victory over Hunslet in 1899.

In 1901 another Sam Lees (Sam’s nephew) started to break into the first team and in order to distinguish between the two, the veteran Sam became known as Sam Lees “senior” with the new arrival being given the “junior” title. Sam later had spells at Leigh and Warrington.

* Includes goals with 2, 3 and 4 point value.