James Lomas (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
James Lomas was a pioneering English rugby league
footballer of the early 20th century. Hailing from Maryport
, Cumberland
, his career lasted for twenty-four years from 1899 to 1923. A three-quarter and prominent goal-kicker, Lomas captained the Great Britain national rugby league team
.
Lomas was playing for Maryport when they made the switch from rugby union to rugby league. In 1899 he made his début appearance for Cumberland, scoring the only try of the match which was a 3-0 victory over Cheshire at Whitehaven. Lomas became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from Bramley
to Salford
in 1901 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £43,000 in 2009). He then played in 1904's first ever international rugby league match for England
against Other Nationalities
. His club record for most points in a game (39), achieved for Salford against Liverpool City on 2 February 1907, still stands today.
Jomas was also notable for his goal-kicking style. He was the first player to stand the ball up on its end.
Lomas went on to captain the successful first British tour of the Southern Hemisphere
which began on 4 June 1910. He later joined Oldham
from Salford
for a fee of £300, (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £121,000 in 2009). playing in Oldham's Challenge Cup
loss to Dewsbury
in the 1912 final. Lomas' total points scoring world record of 2,340 stood until Jim Sullivan passed it in the 1928-29 season.
The Courtney Goodwill Trophy, international rugby league′s first, was presented for the first time in 1936 and depicted Lomas, along with other pioneering greats of the code, Jean Galia
(France), Albert Baskiville (New Zealand) and Dally Messenger
(Australia).
while at Salford in 1904 against Other Nations, in 1905 against Other Nations, in 1906 against Other Nations, in 1908 against New Zealand, and Wales, in 1909 against Australia (3 matches), and Wales, in 1910 against Wales, and while at Oldham in 1911 against Wales, and Australia (2 matches), and won caps for Great Britain
while at Salford in 1908-09 against Australia (2 matches), in 1910 against Australia (2 matches), Australasia
, and New Zealand, and while at Oldham in 1911-12 Australia (2 matches).
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the early 20th century. Hailing from Maryport
Maryport
Maryport is a town and civil parish within the Allerdale borough of Cumbria, England, in the historic county of Cumberland. It is located on the A596 road north of Workington, and is the southernmost town on the Solway Firth. Maryport railway station is on the Cumbrian Coast Line. The town is in...
, Cumberland
Cumberland
Cumberland is a historic county of North West England, on the border with Scotland, from the 12th century until 1974. It formed an administrative county from 1889 to 1974 and now forms part of Cumbria....
, his career lasted for twenty-four years from 1899 to 1923. A three-quarter and prominent goal-kicker, Lomas captained the Great Britain national rugby league team
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
.
Lomas was playing for Maryport when they made the switch from rugby union to rugby league. In 1899 he made his début appearance for Cumberland, scoring the only try of the match which was a 3-0 victory over Cheshire at Whitehaven. Lomas became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from Bramley
Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895...
to Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
in 1901 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £43,000 in 2009). He then played in 1904's first ever international rugby league match for England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
against Other Nationalities
Other Nationalities rugby league team
The Other Nationalities rugby league team regularly played international, and also county, rugby league football teams in Europe from 1904 to 1975. The team, created in 1904 to play England in the first ever rugby league international match, was at first made up of Welsh and Scottish players...
. His club record for most points in a game (39), achieved for Salford against Liverpool City on 2 February 1907, still stands today.
Jomas was also notable for his goal-kicking style. He was the first player to stand the ball up on its end.
Lomas went on to captain the successful first British tour of the Southern Hemisphere
1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand
The 1910 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand was the first international tour of the Great Britain national rugby league team, "The Lions". They played the second ever Ashes series against Australia before travelling to Auckland to take on New Zealand...
which began on 4 June 1910. He later joined Oldham
Oldham Roughyeds
Oldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
from Salford
Salford City Reds
Salford City Reds are an English rugby league club based in Salford, Greater Manchester. Formed in 1873, they currently play in the Super League. They have won six Rugby Football League Championships and one Challenge Cup...
for a fee of £300, (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £121,000 in 2009). playing in Oldham's Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
loss to Dewsbury
Dewsbury Rams
Dewsbury Rams RLFC is a professional rugby league club based in the West Yorkshire town of Dewsbury. They are arguably most famous for becoming Champions in 1972-73 after finishing the regular season in 8th place. In the playoffs they beat Featherstone away, Warrington away, and then Leeds in the...
in the 1912 final. Lomas' total points scoring world record of 2,340 stood until Jim Sullivan passed it in the 1928-29 season.
The Courtney Goodwill Trophy, international rugby league′s first, was presented for the first time in 1936 and depicted Lomas, along with other pioneering greats of the code, Jean Galia
Jean Galia
Jean Galia was a French rugby union and rugby league footballer and champion boxer...
(France), Albert Baskiville (New Zealand) and Dally Messenger
Dally Messenger
Herbert Henry "Dally" Messenger was an Australian rugby union and rugby league footballer, recognised as one of the greatest ever players in either code. Messenger, or 'The Master' as he was dubbed, represented his country in both rugby football codes, playing two rugby union tests and seven...
(Australia).
International honours
James Lomas won caps for EnglandEngland national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
while at Salford in 1904 against Other Nations, in 1905 against Other Nations, in 1906 against Other Nations, in 1908 against New Zealand, and Wales, in 1909 against Australia (3 matches), and Wales, in 1910 against Wales, and while at Oldham in 1911 against Wales, and Australia (2 matches), and won caps for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
while at Salford in 1908-09 against Australia (2 matches), in 1910 against Australia (2 matches), Australasia
Australasia rugby league team
-1911-12:Following individual tours by New Zealand and Australia in 1907-08 and 1908-09 respectively, the Northern Rugby Football Union invited an 'Australasian' team to tour Great Britain during the 1911-12 season...
, and New Zealand, and while at Oldham in 1911-12 Australia (2 matches).