Profile

Ernie Knapman continued the Oldham tradition of plundering top class players from the West Country, when he signed for the club in January, 1921. Born in Torquay, he was a full back and played his early rugby with the local fifteen, where his good form brought him recognition by Devon county.

At Oldham he built up a reputation as a fine full back, especially on defence, which led to him being selected for the 1924 tour as understudy to the great Jim Sullivan of Wigan. He gained his one Great Britain cap on the tour in the first New Zealand test in Auckland.

On the domestic scene, Ernie was, of course, one of the stars of the Oldham side that dominated the Challenge Cup competition in the mid 1920’s, playing in the first three of the four consecutive final appearances in 1924-25-26. A recurring shoulder injury ended his career and he played his final Oldham game at St Helens on March 16th, 1927.