Bill Hardman (rugby league) explained

Bill Hardman
Fullname:William Eastwood Hardman
Birth Date:29 July 1900
Birth Place:The Fylde district, Lancashire, England
Death Place:Mosman, New South Wales, Australia
Retired:yes
Club1:St. George
Year1start:1924
Year1end:31
Appearances1:101
Tries1:13
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:39
Teama:New South Wales
Yearastart:1925
Yearaend:26
Appearancesa:14
Triesa:5
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:15
Teamb:Metropolis
Yearbstart:1925
Yearbend:26
Appearancesb:2
Triesb:2
Goalsb:0
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:6
Source:[1]

William Eastwood Hardman (1900-1987) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s.

Background

Hardman's birth was registered in The Fylde, Lancashire, England

Playing career

A St. George junior player from Brighton-Le-Sands, New South Wales, Hardman was a tough front row forward for St. George during the club's foundation years. He played eight seasons for Saints between 1924 and 1931, and played in two Grand Finals for the club: 1927 and 1930. He retired after playing his 101st first grade game on 2 May 1931. He became the third ever St. George Dragons player to achieve 100 first grade games for the club (the other two were Arthur Justice and Frank Saunders).[2]

Hardman also represented New South Wales in fourteen games between 1925 and 1926. After retiring as a player, Hardman returned to his junior club, the Brighton Seagulls, to coach the juniors.[3] Uniquely, Hardman never played in any other grade but first grade. He was called from the Juniors straight to first grade and never played a lower grade game in his career.

Death

Hardman died on 14 April 1987, at Mosman, New South Wales, aged 86.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bill Hardman - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project. Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. Daily Telegraph (Sydney) "Hardman football record - his 101st game"https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/246321422?searchTerm=%22bill%20hardman%22
  3. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995.
  4. Sydney Morning Herald: Death Notice 15/4/1987