Eric Frodsham (14 February 1923 – 19 January 2003) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s. He played at club level for St. Helens and Warrington (captain), as a fullback.[2]
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Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 15 February 1923 St Helens, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 19 January 2003 (aged 79) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Fullback | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Club career
editFollowing Royal Navy service during World War II, Frodsham signed for St. Helens in 1947. After a short spell for the club, he was transferred to Warrington in 1948,[3] it was there that he spent the remainder of his career.
In 1950, Frodsham made his first-team breakthrough when he replaced Les "Cowboy" Jones as fullback. He went on to make a total of 48 appearances for Warrington during the 1950–51 season, a club record which he repeated in 1953–54, and still holds to this day.[4]
The highlight of Frodsham's career came in the 1953–54 season in which Warrington secured both the League and Challenge Cup titles.
Frodsham's career came to an end in 1955 when he broke his wrist during a 25–7 victory over Liverpool City.[5] In total he made 226 appearances for Warrington, scoring 125 points.[6]
Eric Frodsham made his début for Warrington on Saturday 4 September 1948, and he played his last match for Warrington on Monday 9 April 1956.
Championship final appearances
editEric Frodsham played, and was captain in Warrington's 8–7 victory over Halifax the Championship Final during the 1953–54 season at Maine Road, Manchester on Saturday 8 May 1954, in front of a crowd of 36,519.
Challenge Cup Final appearances
editEric Frodsham played fullback, and was captain in Warrington's 8–4 victory over Halifax in the 1954 Challenge Cup Final replay during the 1953–54 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 May 1954, in front of a record crowd of 102,575 or more.[7] At the time, this was a world record attendance for a rugby match of either code.[8]
County Cup Final appearances
editEric Frodsham played fullback in Warrington's 5–28 defeat by Wigan in the 1950 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1950–51 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 4 November 1950.[9]
Genealogical information
editEric Frodsham was the younger brother of the rugby league footballer; Alf Frodsham, and the rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s for St. Helens; W. Harry Frodsham.[10]
Death
editFrodsham died in his home in Rainford, St. Helens in January 2003. He was survived by his widow Doris, and his daughters Linda, Susan and Julie.[3]
Notes
edit- ^ "Player Summary: Eric Frodsham". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 12 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Statistics at saints.org.uk". saints.org.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ a b Whittle, Denis (21 February 2003). "Bring on the Roosters". St Helens Reporter. Retrieved 17 December 2009.
- ^ "Warrington Wolves Records". warringtonguardian.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 June 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Give it to Bev - Warrington Wolves". warringtonwolves.org. 28 August 2008. Archived from the original on 28 August 2008. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
- ^ "Statistics at wolvesplayers.thisiswarrington.co.uk". wolvesplayers.thisiswarrington.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Mud, blood and memories of the day when 102,575 made history at Odsal". independent.co.uk. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
- ^ Baker, Andrew (20 August 1995). "100 years of rugby league: From the great divide to the Super era". Independent, The. independent.co.uk. Retrieved 25 September 2009.
- ^ "1950-1951 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ "Harry Frodsham Statistics at saints.org.uk". saints.org.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.