Hi,

I recently found out that Fred Harris who played for Leeds in the 1930's was a relative of mine. I'm currently trying to find out more information about him but there isn't much info at all on the internet.

Does anyone have any photographs or stories about him? I'm aware he played in the Challenge Cup final in 1936 (and scored). Is there video footage of this final available anywhere?

Can anyone help me find out what happened to him after he finished playing for Leeds?

Finally - I guess it's unlikley with it being so long ago but is anyone old enough to have seen him play?

Thanks.

If you can get hold of any volumes of the headingley story I have just got volume 5 in my hands its called exodus and he has got a mention in the report of the challenge cup final apparently he scored a brilliant try.He played 199 games for Leeds.There is also a book destination Wembley history of all wembley finals there is a report in there

Do you know where he lived ?

When I first started supporting Leeds as a 12 year old in the late 50's there were supporters who spoke of Fred Harris in glowing terms. He was a centre who played inside his namesake Eric Harris (the Toowoomba Ghost) and I think was a International in the late 30's. He previously played with Leigh where he first becaame an International.

If you can get a copy of Ken Dalby's Headingley Story to cover mid to late 1930's you should find out more.

Thanks very much for your replies. I'll try to get hold of a copy of the Headingley Story.

McLaren Field - I know he was born in Wigan and lived in Westhoughton. He signed for Leigh in 1931 then was sold to Leeds in 1935. I don't know where he lived in Leeds though, I have no record of him past this point unfortunately.

Ive just been thinking about this and I think there was an article in the YORKSHIRE EVENING POST about Fred Harris not too many years ago.Maybe if you contact they YEP they may be able to help you

That's great thanks. I will contact them now.

Just to add i have a book called "Images of England Leeds Rugby League Club" by Phil Caplan and Les Hoole.
There's about 5/6 pages in there with pics some game write ups and other stuff that include Fred plus some features very interesting stuff mate.

All taken from Headingley Story volumes.

Vol 1 page 97, 98, 99 & 100







Vol 4 page 37



Vol 5 Pages 57, 58 & 59







I love the quote from the report "...and he ran in as fine a try as ever will be seen at Wembley".

Great stuff & he sounds to have been a fine player!

Inflatable Armadillo - thanks very much for taking the time out to scan those in, much appreciated. Very informative and great to read. Fantastic description of the try at Wembley and love the line "a try of incomparable artistry"!

Rhinoms - thanks for that info. I don't suppose you know anywhere I can get hold of a copy of that book do you? They appear to be out of stock everywhere online.

I found a copy here...www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Searc ... cm_ven=aff

I found a copy here...www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Searc ... cm_ven=aff

Thanks, just ordered it!

Just looking at those shots of the Wembley player's .I wonder if any of shirts with the badge are still in the possion of any of the player's families?

3 defeats in 4 days and 56th try of the season!

I will try to post a copy of the Leeds team page from the 1936 RL Cup programme which I have.

Eric Harris's scoring record was something else

That Ancestry ,family tree geneoligy tracing thing seem's to be in vogue right now and Fred Harris was not too far back ,It should not be too hard to trace hime.Have youthought of that option?

It was through tracing my family tree on Ancestry that I found the link with Fred Harris. I've traced my tree back to the 1700's. I always remember my grandad telling me when I was a kid that his cousin played for Leeds. I'd almost forgot about it until I traced the 1911 census and found out his cousin was Fred.

I've had some good information off Peter Smith today from the Y.E.P. He played from 1935-1945, scoring 71 tries in 199 games. He later had a spell as the A Team coach after retirement before going on to run a pub in Dudley Hill and later Tyersal.

Also heard a story about how he got drunk on the train home from Wembley and left his winners medal on there.

I'm hopefully being put in touch with Harry Jepson who would have seen him play.

I thought for a short while that the Fred who I used to give a lift to and from games with in the late 80s/early 90s and who played for Leeds pre-war was one and the same, but I've since found that it wasn't (Dalton I think).

One of my close friend's father also played for Leeds at that time, he is now in his 90s and still fit and well, I just wish my friend would sit him down with a tape recorder and purge his memory of those times, he would know Fred Harris well.

Thats good ,pleased your getting somewhere on this

mr boo - I'd love to see that copy of the 1936 programme if you get the chance.

McClaren Field - if your friend ever does do that, please let me know! I've so many regrets about not doing similar things with family members in the past whilst they've still been alive.

Whilst I know exactly who Mex really means, did anyone thing of the ex Play School stalwart when they saw the title of this thread ?

Team 1936 photo from programme courtesy of mrboo

you wouldn't mess with jubb would you!

I think Casewell used to be a top official of Leeds and district amatuer rugby leagu for many years