William B. Oxley (c. 1920 – 1985) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and was a rugby league administrator of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played at club level for Barrow (two spells), Bradford Northern and Rochdale Hornets (captain).
Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | William B. Oxley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | c. 1920 Barrow-in-Furness, England | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 1985 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Coaching information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Background
editBill Oxley's was born in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire. World War II began four days after Bill Oxley had signed professionally for Barrow, he served with the Royal Horse Artillery in World War II for five years. He died in 1985.[1]
Playing career
editBill Oxley scored one try for Barrow, it came in the 21-3 victory over Broughton Rangers at Craven Park, Barrow-in-Furness on Saturday 23 March 1946. He then returned to the amateur ranks, but was offered a trial by Bradford Northern,[1] and played for the club in April 1946.[2] Oxley was offered a contract by the club, but he chose to sign with Rochdale Hornets instead.[3]
Oxley returned to Barrow for a second spell in 1948, and played in the club's 0–10 defeat by eventual winners Bradford Northern in the 1948–49 Challenge Cup semi-final during the 1948–49 season at Station Road, Swinton.[1]
Administrative career
editOxley joined the board of directors at Barrow during the 1960s. He was appointed as England's team manager for the 1975 Rugby League World Championship.[4] In 1978, he was named as chairman for the Great Britain selection committee.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Man with the heart of an Ox". nwemail.co.uk. 18 December 2008. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2024.
- ^ "Heritage Numbers". Bradford Bulls Foundation. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
- ^ "Northern Made Oxley A Good Offer". Yorkshire Observer. 22 April 1946. p. 4 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Mather, Harold (3 January 1975). "Eight coaches left on lists". The Guardian. London. p. 21. ProQuest 185738734.
- ^ "Oxley's hot seat". The Guardian. London. 31 August 1978. p. 19. ProQuest 186036597.
External links
edit- Search for "Oxley" at rugbyleagueproject.org
- (archived by archive.is) Stan Ayres
- Haven’s troubles strike a chord with Keith[dead link]
- (archived by archive.is) Barrow Island's brothers in arms
- (archived by archive.is) Team of 1948
- More Ulverston Rugby team taken about 1949- 50.
