Herbert Kershaw

Herbert Kershaw
Born	early 1885 Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died	February 1955 Wakefield, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Occupation(s)	Rugby union and rugby league footballer
Known for	Playing for Wakefield RFC, Wakefield Trinity, England, Great Britain, and Yorkshire; captain of Wakefield Trinity

Herbert Kershaw (born early 1885 – died February 1955), commonly referred to as "Harry", was an English athlete who played both rugby union and professional rugby league during the early 1900s. He competed for Yorkshire in rugby union representing Wakefield RFC, and later transitioned to rugby league, where he captained Wakefield Trinity and also played at the representative level for Yorkshire, England, and Great Britain, mainly occupying a forward position.

Following his retirement from playing rugby league, Kershaw took on the role of bagman and training assistant at Wakefield RFC in 1928, receiving a weekly wage of 2s 6d, which is roughly equivalent to £20.97 in 2016.

Background

Born in Wakefield, located in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England, Kershaw managed the Admiral Duncan Inn on Thornes Lane, Wakefield from 1914 until 1926. Subsequently, around 1927, he became the landlord of the Brewers' Arms on Westgate in Wakefield. He passed away at age 69 in Wakefield and was laid to rest at Thornes Parish Church of Saint James on Denby Dale Road.

International honours

While playing for Wakefield Trinity, Herbert Kershaw earned international caps for England in matches against Wales during 1910 and 1911, as well as against Australia. Additionally, he was selected for the Great Britain squad that toured Australia and New Zealand in 1910, participating in games versus Australia, Australasia, and New Zealand.

County honours

During his time with Wakefield Trinity, Kershaw was capped representing Yorkshire.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Kershaw featured as a forward when Wakefield Trinity secured a 17–0 win over Hull F.C. in the 1908–09 Challenge Cup Final held at Headingley, Leeds on 20 April 1909 before an audience of 23,587. He also served as captain during the team's 0–6 loss to Hull F.C. in the 1913–14 Challenge Cup Final at Thrum Hall, Halifax. Notably, he was dismissed from the field for kicking five minutes after halftime in front of approximately 19,000 spectators.

County Cup Final appearances

Herbert Kershaw played as a forward in Wakefield Trinity’s 8–2 triumph over Huddersfield during the 1910–11 Yorkshire Cup Final within the 1910–11 season at Headingley, Leeds, on Saturday, 3 December 1910.

Notable tour matches

Kershaw took part as a forward in Wakefield Trinity’s 20–13 victory against the touring Australian side during the 1908–09 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday, 19 December 1908.

Testimonial match

A joint testimonial match honoring Herbert Kershaw alongside George Taylor was contested by Wakefield Trinity against Batley Bulldogs at Belle Vue on Saturday, 12 February 1921.

Club career

Kershaw debuted for Wakefield Trinity in January 1906.

Contemporaneous Article Extract

"Beginning his rugby journey with Thornes Lane Rovers and Thornes United, he then took the scrum-half role at Wakefield R.U., where he earned selection for Yorkshire County R.U. Upon joining Trinity, he entered a team already featuring the strong half-back duo of Slater and Newbould. Demonstrating adaptability, he filled in as loose forward during a pivotal Cup semi-final against Wigan. His combination of speed, technical ability, and defensive strength played a key role in securing victory for Trinity. Eventually establishing himself at loose forward, he maintained that position in the Challenge Cup Final against Hull FC, toured in 1910 occupying the loose-forward spot, and competed in the Brisbane Test."