Although there has always been a steady flow of players from Wales into Rugby League, back in the early days, after the initial formation of the “Northern Union”, Oldham would often cast the net North of the border to bring some of the top Scottish players to the club. Never were they more fortunate than when Melrose forward George Frater was tempted to leave the land of the thistle.
George came to the club for the start of the 1896-97 season and for eight years would be a cornerstone of the Oldham pack. A grafting, tireless packman, he was always to be found in the thick of the action and was, when required, a useful relief goal kicker.
As was the custom at the time George qualified to play for Lancashire while playing for Oldham and was duly capped by the red rose county. He also captained the “Other Nationalities” side against England in the very first Northern Union International.
The highlight of his career was to play in the 1899 Challenge Cup winning side, where he was accompanied in the winning team by fellow Scottish forwards, Jim Moffatt and E.W. Telfer. His last match was in the Championship clinching 23 – 0 win against Hull at Watersheddings on April 24th, 1905.
Player profile
Although there has always been a steady flow of players from Wales into Rugby League, back in the early days, after the initial formation of the “Northern Union”, Oldham would often cast the net North of the border to bring some of the top Scottish players to the club. Never were they more fortunate than when Melrose forward George Frater was tempted to leave the land of the thistle.
George came to the club for the start of the 1896-97 season and for eight years would be a cornerstone of the Oldham pack. A grafting, tireless packman, he was always to be found in the thick of the action and was, when required, a useful relief goal kicker.
As was the custom at the time George qualified to play for Lancashire while playing for Oldham and was duly capped by the red rose county. He also captained the “Other Nationalities” side against England in the very first Northern Union International.
The highlight of his career was to play in the 1899 Challenge Cup winning side, where he was accompanied in the winning team by fellow Scottish forwards, Jim Moffatt and E.W. Telfer. His last match was in the Championship clinching 23 – 0 win against Hull at Watersheddings on April 24th, 1905.