Harry Toft (second ¼ 1881[2] – fourth ¼ 1951[3]), also known by the nickname of "The Human Corkscrew", was a Welsh rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s and 1910s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Glamorgan County RFC, and at club level for Swansea RFC, as a centre, or fly-half, and club level rugby league (RL) for Hunslet.

Harry Toft
Personal information
Full nameHarry Toft
Bornsecond ¼ 1881
Swansea, Wales
Diedfourth ¼ 1951 (aged 77)
Leeds, England
Playing information
Rugby union
PositionCentre/Fly-half
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1906–09 Swansea RFC
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1908–08 Glamorgan County RFC ≥1
Rugby league
PositionCentre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1910–≥10 Hunslet
Source: [1]

Background

edit

Harry Toft's birth was registered in Swansea district, Glamorgan, and his death aged 77 was registered in Leeds district, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.

Playing career

edit

Notable county matches

edit

Harry Toft played alongside fellow Swansea RFC players; George Hayward, Phil Hopkins, Fred Lewis,[1] Ivor Morgan and Dicky Owen (captain) in Glamorgan County RFC's 3–16 defeat by Australia at Cardiff Arms Park on Wednesday 7 October 1908.[4]

Notable tour matches

edit

Harry Toft played in Swansea RFC's 6–0 victory over Australia at St. Helen's Rugby and Cricket Ground, Swansea on Saturday 26 December 1908 in front of a crowd of 40,000.[4]

Genealogical information

edit

Harry Toft's marriage to Florence Catherine (née Westwood) (birth registered during third ¼ 1882 in Aston district – death registered during fourth ¼ 1940 (aged 58) in Leeds district) was registered during fourth ¼ 1905 in Swansea district.[5] They had four children; Irene, Olive, Harry and Beryl Toft (birth registered during first ¼ 1915 in Hunslet district – death registered during second ¼ 1933 (aged 18) in North Leeds district).

References

edit
  1. ^ Williams, Graham; Lush, Peter; Farrar, David (2009). The British Rugby League Records Book. London League. pp. 108–114. ISBN 978-1-903659-49-6.
  2. ^ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  3. ^ "Death details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
  4. ^ a b "The Story Of Swansea RFC In The 1908-09 Season". swansearfc.co.uk. 31 December 2016. Archived from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  5. ^ "Marriage details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
edit