Gwyn Parker Explained

Gwyn Parker
Birth Date:7 December 1907[1]
Birth Place:Cwmafan, Wales
Death Place:Huddersfield, England
Club1:Huddersfield
Year1start:1927
Year1end:34
Club2:Leeds
Year2start:1934
Year2end:37
Club3:Keighley
Year3start:1937
Year3end:38
Club4:York
Year4start:1938
Year4end:39
Club5:Rochdale Hornets
Year5start:1939
Yearastart:1927
Yearaend:31
Appearancesa:3
Triesa:1
Goalsa:0
Fieldgoalsa:0
Pointsa:3
Teamb:Wales
Yearbstart:1928
Yearbend:35
Appearancesb:4
Triesb:2
Goalsb:0
Fieldgoalsb:0
Pointsb:6
Retired:yes
Source:[2]

Gwyn Parker (1907 – 1995) was a Welsh professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s, as a or . He played at representative level for Wales, and at club level for Huddersfield, Leeds, Keighley, Rochdale Hornets, and York.

Playing career

Club career

Parker grew up in Cwmafan, Wales, and represented the Welsh Schools team in rugby union.[3] He went on to play for Neath before moving to England in 1927 to play rugby league for Huddersfield.

At Huddersfield, he was part of the team that won the league championship in 1928–29 and 1929–30, and helped the club win the 1931–32 Yorkshire Cup.

After being placed on the transfer list at his own request,[4] he moved to Leeds in January 1934 for a fee of £400.[5] He helped Leeds win the 1934–35 and 1935–36 Yorkshire Cup, and played at Wembley for the club in the 1936 Challenge Cup final, scoring a try in the 18–2 win over Warrington.[6]

In 1937, he joined Keighley, and played in the 1937 Challenge Cup final defeat against Widnes. He moved to York in 1938 before finishing his career with Rochdale Hornets.

Representative honours

Parker won four caps for Wales between 1928 and 1935. He also represented Glamorgan & Monmouthshire in the County Championship.

Personal life

Gwyn Parker's older brother, Tommy Parker, was also a rugby league player.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Player Profile - Gwyn Parker. Wales Rugby League. 1 December 2024.
  2. Web site: Gwyn Parker - Playing Career. Rugby League Project. 1 December 2024.
  3. News: Famous rugby player dies, 86 . South Wales Evening Post . 19 January 1995 . 6 . . subscription.
  4. News: Parker Placed on Transfer List . The Huddersfield Examiner and West Riding Reporter . 20 January 1934 . 2 . . subscription.
  5. News: Sports Snaps . Hull Daily Mail . 22 January 1934 . 9 . . subscription.
  6. Web site: Warham has just got to be back among the final ghosts . Yorkshire Post . 1 December 2024 . 28 August 2010.