Eric Hughes (rugby league, born 1913) explained

Eric Hughes
Fullname:Eric Walter Hughes
Birth Date:20 January 1913
Birth Place:Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
Death Place:Queensland, Australia
Retired:yes
Club1:St. George
Year1start:1936
Year1end:37
Appearances1:9
Tries1:3
Goals1:0
Fieldgoals1:0
Points1:9
Source:Whitcker/Hudson

Eric Hughes (20 January 1913 – 15 August 2012) was an Australian rugby league footballer from the 1930s.

Born and raised in Ipswich, Queensland, Eric Hughes was a 22 year old miner from Mount Isa who travelled over 2000 miles at his own expense costing him £300, to trial with the St. George Dragons in 1936. He left a job at the mines where he earned 2 pounds a day in wages. He came to Sydney with his friend Jack Stathers who also trialled with St. George. During his years in Ipswich, Eric Hughes was trained and mentored by two lengedary players Jim Craig and Dan Dempsey.

He lived in Sydney with the patron of the St. George club, Jack McGrath.[1] Hughes suffered injuries due to a motorcycle accident late in 1936. He tried out for the Dragons again in 1937, but did not play first grade again.[2] Hughes also served in the Australian Army as a private during the Second World War.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Townsville Bulletin (23 March 1936) "Mt. Isa to Sydney - a young Footballers Quest." https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/62968605?searchTerm=%22eric%20hughes%22%20mt%20isa
  2. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, 1995.
  3. Web site: World War Two Service . 25 March 2021 . Australian Government – Department of Veteran's Affairs.