A green plaque commemorating the centenary of the first international rugby league Test series is to be unveiled in Cheltenham this week.
The Great Britain rugby league team (under the name the Northern Union) played the New Zealand tourists (called the All Golds owing to their professionalism) at Cheltenham Rugby Union Club’s Athletic Ground in the third and deciding game of the series.
Oldham rugby league club played a significant part in that piece of sporting history. Three members of the Northern Union side played for the Roughyeds and one of them, Arthur Smith, had been signed from Cinderford in Gloucestershire.
Along with wing George Tyson and stand off Tom White, Smith played in the 8-5 defeat suffered by the Northern Union that saw the series won by the Kiwis.
Arthur Smith was a forceful and enthusiastic performer so much so that he earned nickname ‘Mad’. He began playing rugby at Yorkley in the Forest of Dean before progressing to Cinderford and then on to Oldham in 1905. His style of play suited the Northern Union game and he earned a Lancashire cap before appearing in all three test matches against the All Golds. His 247 appearances in the red and white hoops garnered 21 tries.
Tom White was also from the West Country. Born in Bath, he captained his home town club before moving to Bristol for a brief spell. He returned to Bath before signing for Oldham in 1905 for whom he made 224 appearances, scoring 49 tries and 81 goals. He kicked the only goal for the Northern Union at Cheltenham.
A very quick halfback, White played mostly stand off for the Roughyeds but occasionally filled in at scrum half and even appeared on the wing such was his speed.
Signed from local club Werneth in 1902, George Tyson was a speedy and elusive winger who topped the Oldham try scoring charts for three consecutive seasons between 1907 and 1909. In all, he scored 111 tries and 4 goals in his 246 appearances at Watersheddings, winning county and international caps. He was also well known as a strong defender.
At the end of the tour, The Roughyeds signed All Gold George Smith who, despite being 35 years of age was an exceptional footballer.
George Smith was the first imported player signed by Oldham when he put pen to paper in the post-match bath immediately after the Test match in February 1908. He made his debut for Oldham against Wigan on 19 February playing opposite All Golds team mate Lance Todd. A champion sprinter, hurdler and jockey, Smith toured with 1905 All Blacks and became interested in Northern Union game. He returned to England as vice captain of the All Golds in 1908 and led the side in final test. He made 173 appearances for the Roughyeds, scoring 100 tries and 5 goals. He later coached the team. His image appeared on postage stamps issued in New Zealand to celebrate the centenary of rugby league in 1995.
During the match, the Oldham committee men spoke to England rugby union international Alf Wood who signed for the club in time for the start of the 1908-09 season.
Reflecting Oldham’s contribution to this historic event, the club’s Chief Executive Chris Hamilton has been invited to attend the unveiling and says: "The Oldham club is honoured to be a part of this recognition of rugby league history and I am delighted to have been asked to address the gathering on 15 February. Rugby league is rightly proud of its great history and the unveiling of this plaque is part of the rich tapestry of our game. Given the part the Oldham club played in the test series 100 years ago I am greatly looking forward to representing our club at the unveiling at what I am sure will be a fantastic occasion".
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The Gloucestershire Rugby League is an organisation for local rugby league clubs in Gloucestershire. Our main activity currently is to promote rugby league through the County and give useful information about our sport to the public of Gloucestershire.
