Alfred Francis Explained

Alf Francis
Fullname:Alfred John Francis
Birth Date:30 June 1888[1]
Birth Place:Treherbert, Glamorgan, Wales[2]
Death Place:Hull, Yorkshire, England
Club1:Treherbert RLFC
Year1start:≤1909
Year1end:10
Club2:Hull FC
Year2start:1910
Year2end:19
Appearances2:245
Tries2:166
Goals2:2
Teama:Wales
Yearastart:1913
Yearaend:14
Appearancesa:2
Triesa:1
Teamb:Great Britain
Yearbstart:1914
Appearancesb:3
Triesb:7
New:yes
Retired:yes
Updated:4 June 2010
Source:[3]

Alfred John "Alf" Francis (– 10 March 1968) was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s and 1910s. He played at representative level for Great Britain (non-Test matches) and Wales, and at club level for Treherbert RLFC and Hull F.C. (Heritage №.195), as a, i.e. number 2 or 5.[4] [5]

Playing career

International honours

Francis won 2 caps for Wales in 1913–1914 while at Hull,[3] and toured with Great Britain on the 1914 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Francis played, i.e. number 5, and scored a try in Hull's 6–0 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1913–14 Challenge Cup Final during the 1913–14 season at Thrum Hall, Halifax, in front of a crowd of 19,000.[6]

Club career

Hull Kingston Rovers first became aware of Francis when he scored a try in Treherbert RLFC's 10–22 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers during the 1909–10 season, but he was thought by Hull Kingston Rovers to be too small, so they decided against signing him. An official of Hull Kingston Rovers then recommended him to the Hull F.C. chairman who travelled to Wales, decided that Francis' size wasn't an issue, and signed him for Hull F.C. for 75 gold sovereigns (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £27,720 in 2016)[7] [8] Treherbert RLFC completed only 12-matches during the 1909–10 season, and as defaulters, they were prevented from playing in the 1910–11 season, by which time both Alfred Francis, and David Galloway had joined Hull FC.

Personal life

Alf Francis' marriage to Emma Mabel Baxter took place at St. Matthew's Church, Boulevard, Hull, on 8 December 1915. They had children; Wellesley T. Francis (born 1916) and Megan Francis (born 1922).

Francis, who worked as a miner in Wales, remained in Hull and became a barman after his career ended. He died in 1968 in Hull.[9]

External links

Notes and References

  1. 1939 England and Wales Register
  2. John Alfred Francis, professional footballer residing in Hull, in 1911 England Census
  3. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org. rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2011. 1 January 2012.
  4. Book: Graham. Williams. Peter. Lush. David. Farrar. The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. 978-1-903659-49-6. 2009. 108–114.
  5. Web site: Statistics at rugbyleague.wales. rugbyleague.wales. 31 December 2019. 1 January 2020.
  6. News: A complete history of Hull FC's Challenge Cup finals. Hull Daily Mail. 22 August 2013. 1 January 2014. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140203223748/http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/complete-history-Hull-FC-s-Challenge-Cup-finals/story-19692285-detail/story.html. 3 February 2014.
  7. Web site: Measuring Worth - Relative Value of UK Pounds. Measuring Worth. 31 December 2017. 1 January 2018.
  8. Book: Raymond. Fletcher. Hull Rugby League Club - 100 Greats. Tempus Publishing Ltd.. 978-0752424293. 2004.
  9. News: Star Winger Alf Francis Dies - Scored 224 Tries for Hull FC . 22 February 2024 . . 12 March 1968 . 1 . subscription.