Harry Varley was the captain of the Oldham team in the first season of the Northern Union, after the breakaway of 1895. He was a stand off half who won an England cap at Rugby Union, when playing for the Liversedge club. He was also capped by Yorkshire county and added similar Lancashire honours after crossing the Pennines. The rules of the time allowed a player to represent the county of his club.
After two seasons under the new code, Harry retired to become the club trainer and under his watchful eye the club became the first Lancashire team to win the Challenge Cup when defeating Hunslet in the 1899 final at Fallowfield. As a mark of appreciation the players all “chipped in” to have a special medal struck for Harry, which bore the Oldham coat of arms, with an inscription relevant to the Cup success.
In August 1899, Harry left Watersheddings under amicable circumstances to take up a position with the Leeds club, for whom he was persuaded to come out of retirement as a player.
Player profile
Harry Varley was the captain of the Oldham team in the first season of the Northern Union, after the breakaway of 1895. He was a stand off half who won an England cap at Rugby Union, when playing for the Liversedge club. He was also capped by Yorkshire county and added similar Lancashire honours after crossing the Pennines. The rules of the time allowed a player to represent the county of his club.
After two seasons under the new code, Harry retired to become the club trainer and under his watchful eye the club became the first Lancashire team to win the Challenge Cup when defeating Hunslet in the 1899 final at Fallowfield. As a mark of appreciation the players all “chipped in” to have a special medal struck for Harry, which bore the Oldham coat of arms, with an inscription relevant to the Cup success.
In August 1899, Harry left Watersheddings under amicable circumstances to take up a position with the Leeds club, for whom he was persuaded to come out of retirement as a player.