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{{Short description|Former GB & England international rugby league footballer}}
{{other people||John Wilkinson Birch (disambiguation){{!}}John Birch}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2013}}
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{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2015}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2015}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}}
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{{Use British English|date=June 2013}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
{{Infobox rugby league biography
|name = John Birch
|name = John Birch
|fullname = John Wilkinson Birch
|fullname = John Wilkinson Birch
|nickname =
|image = John Birch - Leeds.jpeg
|image =
|image_size = 192
⚫
|image_size = 220px
|caption =
|caption =
|birth_date = June 1st 1878
|birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1878|6|1}}
|birth_place = [[Garforth]], [[West Riding of Yorkshire, England]]
|birth_place = [[Garforth]], [[West Riding of Yorkshire]], England
|death_date = 10 October 1953 (aged 75)
|death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1953|10|10|1878|6|1}}
|death_place = [[Barwick-in-Elmet]], [[West Riding of Yorkshire, England]]
|death_place = [[Barwick-in-Elmet]], [[West Riding of Yorkshire]], England
|height = 5 ft 11.5 in
|height = {{convert|5|ft|11.5|in|m|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|13|st|0|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|weight = {{convert|13|st|0|lb|kg|abbr=on}}
|position = [[Rugby league positions#Forwards|Forward]]
|position = [[Rugby league positions#Forwards|Forward]]
|club1 = [[Leeds Parish Church RFC|Leeds Parish Church]]
|club1 = {{nowrap|[[Leeds Parish Church RFC|Leeds Parish Church]]}}
|year1start = ≤1899
|year1start = 1897
|year1end = 01
|year1end = 1901
|appearances1 = 41
|appearances1 =
|tries1 = 6
|tries1 =
|goals1 =
|goals1 =
|fieldgoals1 =
|fieldgoals1 =
Line 33: Line 32:
|fieldgoals2 =
|fieldgoals2 =
|points2 = 80
|points2 = 80
⚫
|club3 = [[Castleford]]
⚫
|year3start =1913
⚫
|year3end =1915
|teamA = [[England national rugby league team|England]]
|teamA = [[England national rugby league team|England]]
|yearAstart = 1908
|yearAstart = 1908
Line 49: Line 51:
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
⚫
|source = <ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jim-birch/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org (forename misspelt as Jim)|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Birch&submit=Go&c=England|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131127160904/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Birch&submit=Go&c=England|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2013|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Birch&submit=Go&c=GB|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131127160942/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Birch&submit=Go&c=GB|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 November 2013|title=Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref>
⚫
|teamC = [[Yorkshire]]
|yearCstart = 1903
|appearancesC = 1
⚫
|triesC =
|goalsC =
|fieldgoalsC =
|pointsC =
⚫
|source = <ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/jim-birch/summary.html|title=Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org (forename misspelt as Jim)|publisher=rugbyleagueproject.org|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19950000000000/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Birch&submit=Go&c=England|title=England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref><ref name="Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk">{{cite web|url=https://web.archive.org/web/19950000000000/http://www.englandrl.co.uk/player_records?search=Birch&submit=Go&c=GB|title=Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk|publisher=englandrl.co.uk|date=31 December 2017|accessdate=1 January 2018}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''John Wilkinson Birch''' (1878 – 10 October 1953) was an English professional [[rugby league]] footballer who played in the 1890s and 1900s. He played at representative level for [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] and [[England national rugby league team|England]], and at club level for [[Leeds Parish Church RFC|Leeds Parish Church]] and [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]] ([[List of Leeds Rhinos players|Heritage № 130]]), as a [[Rugby league positions#Forwards|forward]] (prior to the specialist positions of; {{rlp|pr|hk|sr|lf}}), during the era of contested [[Scrum (rugby)#Rugby league|scrum]]s.<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org"/>
'''John Wilkinson Birch''' (1878 – 10 October 1953) was an English professional [[rugby league]] footballer who played in the 1890s and 1900s. He played at representative level for [[Great Britain national rugby league team|Great Britain]] and [[England national rugby league team|England]], and at club level for [[Leeds Parish Church RFC|Leeds Parish Church]] and [[Leeds Rhinos|Leeds]], as a [[Rugby league positions#Forwards|forward]].<ref name="Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org"/>


J.W.Birch was born June 1st 1878 and baptized on Christmas day 1878 at St Mary's church [[Garforth]], [[Leeds]] His father was George Birch of Barrowby Lane who was a very large man weighing around 24 stone and also a very well known character of Garforth known to the villagers as Scribbin Birch, His mother was Alice Ellen Smith of Garforth he married Annie Simpson of Kippax in 1898.
Birch was born on 1 June 1878 and baptised on Christmas Day 1878 at St Mary's church [[Garforth]], [[Leeds]]. His father was George Birch of Barrowby Lane who was a very large man weighing around 24 stone and also a very well known character of Garforth known to the villagers as Scribbin Birch, His mother was Alice Ellen Smith of Garforth he married Annie Simpson of Kippax in 1898.<ref>West Yorkshire, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813–1910</ref><ref>Garforth Historical Society</ref>
<ref>West Yorkshire, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1910</ref><ref>Garforth Historical Society</ref>


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
Birch played for the Leeds Parish church rugby team he was in the team when they played their last ever match on Wednesday 24 April 1901 Scoring a Try against York with the result going in favour of the Parish Church 21-2 the club was disbanded when the lease on its Clarence Road ground expired When Leeds Parish Church disbanded in 1901 the Church Committee generously placed the whole of their playing staff at the disposal of the Leeds Club who welcomed John Wilkinson Birch and seven of his colleagues; W. Cororan, C. Crumpton, W. Evans, S. Herberts, G. Hewlett, J. McNicholas, and [[George Mosley]]. These players did more than merely join the Leeds club, they gave to it all their loyalty, skill and spirit. John Wilkinson Birch made his début against Wakefield Trinity at Headingley on 7 September 1901 running out winners 16-9, many Leeds followers think that strength of the side of these days was greater than anything there has been at Headingley since, and there are many good judges who firmly believe that this 1906 team was the best that ever wore the Leeds jersey; Young, Jenkins, T. Llewellyn, Thomas, Hughes, Ward, Brayshaw, Hewlett, Stead, Lunn, Watts, Webster, Wainwright, Wormald, John Wilkinson Birch. It may be that the passage of time lends enchantment, but it is certainly no exaggeration to say that many of the players in that team are still revered at Headingley today.<ref name="The Headingley Story - 1890-1955 - Volume One - Rugby">Dalby, Ken (1955). ''The Headingley Story - 1890-1955 - Volume One - Rugby''. The Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Co. Ltd ASIN: B0018JNGVM</ref>
Birch played for the Leeds Parish church rugby team he was in the team when they played their last ever match on Wednesday 24 April 1901 Scoring a Try against York with the result going in favour of the Parish Church 21–2 the club was disbanded when the lease on its Clarence Road ground expired When Leeds Parish Church disbanded in 1901 the Church Committee generously placed the whole of their playing staff at the disposal of the Leeds Club who welcomed John Wilkinson Birch and seven of his colleagues; W. Cororan, C. Crumpton, W. Evans, S. Herberts, G. Hewlett, J. McNicholas, and [[George Mosley]]. These players did more than merely join the Leeds club, they gave to it all their loyalty, skill and spirit. John Wilkinson Birch made his début against Wakefield Trinity at Headingley on 7 September 1901 running out winners 16–9, many Leeds followers think that strength of the side of these days was greater than anything there has been at Headingley since, and there are many good judges who firmly believe that this 1906 team was the best that ever wore the Leeds jersey; Young, Jenkins, T. Llewellyn, Thomas, Hughes, Ward, Brayshaw, Hewlett, Stead, Lunn, Watts, Webster, Wainwright, Wormald, John Wilkinson Birch. It may be that the passage of time lends enchantment, but it is certainly no exaggeration to say that many of the players in that team are still revered at Headingley today.<ref name="The Headingley Story – 1890-1955 – Volume One – Rugby">Dalby, Ken (1955). ''The Headingley Story – 1890–1955 – Volume One – Rugby''. The Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Co. Ltd ASIN: B0018JNGVM</ref>


==International honours==
==International honours==
Line 71: Line 65:


=== Leeds v The Rest 1902 ===
=== Leeds v The Rest 1902 ===
When Leeds won the Yorkshire Senior Competition in 1901/02 Leeds proved themselves true Champions with victory over The Rest a team made up of the best players from rival clubs the result been 7-5 on 19 April 1902 at Headingley. The team that day was; Dean, Evans, Littlewood, Davies, Mudd, [[George Mosley]] (another ex-[[Leeds Parish Church RFC|Leeds Parish Church]]), Grace, Hewlett, John Wilkinson Birch, Crumpton, McNicholas, Taylor, Crowther, Hanson, Midgley.
When Leeds won the Yorkshire Senior Competition in 1901/02 Leeds proved themselves true Champions with victory over The Rest a team made up of the best players from rival clubs the result been 7–5 on 19 April 1902 at Headingley. The team that day was; Dean, Evans, Littlewood, Davies, Mudd, [[George Mosley]] (another ex-[[Leeds Parish Church RFC|Leeds Parish Church]]), Grace, Hewlett, John Wilkinson Birch, Crumpton, McNicholas, Taylor, Crowther, Hanson, Midgley.
=== Leeds v New Zealand 1907 ===
=== Leeds v New Zealand 1907 ===
The Leeds team took on New Zealand on 26 October 1907 at Headingley during their pioneering [[1907–1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain|1907-08 tour of Great Britain]]. The game was kicked off by Birch in heavy rain making the ground treacherous underfoot the game ended up a win for the tourists 8-2, the team that day was; Young, Scamans, Fawcett, Thomas, Llewellyn, Ward, Wilson, John Wilkinson Birch, Burnley, Harrison, Stead, Wainwright, Webster.[[File:Leeds v New Zealand (All Golds) 1907.jpg|thumb|Team photo of Leeds and New Zealand All Golds 1907]]
The Leeds team took on New Zealand on 26 October 1907 at Headingley during their pioneering [[1907–1908 New Zealand rugby tour of Australia and Great Britain|1907–08 tour of Great Britain]]. The game was kicked off by Birch in heavy rain making the ground treacherous underfoot the game ended up a win for the tourists 8–2, the team that day was; Young, Scamans, Fawcett, Thomas, Llewellyn, Ward, Wilson, John Wilkinson Birch, Burnley, Harrison, Stead, Wainwright, Webster.


==== Northern union/Great Britain v New Zealand 1908 ====
==== Northern union/Great Britain v New Zealand 1908 ====
Birch once again met the New Zealand in the third test match on Saturday 13 February 1908 at the Athletic Ground, Cheltenham when he won a [[Cap (sport)|cap]] for Great Britain while playing for his club team Leeds, the game was won by New Zealand 8-5 and the famous encounter would become known as the Great Match of the Edwardian Period. The Great Britain team that day was; H. Taylor, W. Batten, B. Jenkins, P. Thomas, G. Tyson, T. White, J. Jolley, A. Smith, J. L. Clampitt, John Wilkinson Birch, J. Spencer, W. Holder.<ref>https://www.allgoldsrugby.co.uk/</ref>
Birch once again met the New Zealand in the third test match on Saturday 13 February 1908 at the Athletic Ground, Cheltenham when he won a [[Cap (sport)|cap]] for Great Britain while playing for his club team Leeds, the game was won by New Zealand 8–5 and the famous encounter would become known as the Great Match of the Edwardian Period. The Great Britain team that day was; H. Taylor, W. Batten, B. Jenkins, P. Thomas, G. Tyson, T. White, J. Jolley, A. Smith, J. L. Clampitt, John Wilkinson Birch, J. Spencer, W. Holder.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.allgoldsrugby.co.uk/ |title=Home |website=allgoldsrugby.co.uk}}</ref>


== Retirement ==
== Retirement ==
J.W.Birch retired playing in 1909 his final game was against Hunslet in the 2nd round of the Northern Union Cup. He broke his collar bone within the first 10 minutes of the cup tie but with rare pluck kept on playing as the Yorkshire Evening Post states (20th March 1909). The match was played in front of 22,000 thousand spectators and Hunslet opted to play there biggest six forwards leaving out Smales and Davies and the result justified this selection, The Leeds front rank being entirely worn down by the "Terrible Six" before the end of the game.The Result been Hunslet 15 Leeds 9. The Leeds team that day was; F.Young, G.Desborough, F.Oliver, F.Ware, W.Goldthorpe, J.Fawcett, R.Ward, R.Jones, F.Webster, F.Harrison, S.Whitaker, J.Townend, T.H.Wainwright, W.Jarman, J.W.Birch, E. Hughes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/|title=Home {{!}} Search the archive {{!}} British Newspaper Archive|website=www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref>
Birch retired in 1909. His final game was against Hunslet in the 2nd round of the Northern Union Cup. He broke his collarbone within the first 10 minutes of the cup tie but with rare pluck kept on playing as the Yorkshire Evening Post states (20 March 1909). The match was played in front of 22,000 thousand spectators and Hunslet opted to play there biggest six forwards leaving out Smales and Davies and the result justified this selection, The Leeds front rank being entirely worn down by the "Terrible Six" before the end of the game. The result been Hunslet 15 Leeds 9. The Leeds team that day was; F. Young, G. Desborough, F. Oliver, F. Ware, W. Goldthorpe, J. Fawcett, R. Ward, R. Jones, F. Webster, F. Harrison, S. Whitaker, J. Townend, T.H. Wainwright, W. Jarman, J.W. Birch, and E. Hughes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/|title=Home {{!}} Search the archive {{!}} British Newspaper Archive|via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]|access-date=2019-07-16}}</ref>




==Death==
==Death==
He died on the 10 October 1953 (aged 75) at St James's Hospital,Leeds he was Buried on the 14 October 1953 at All Saints Church Barwick in Elmet.<ref>West Yorkshire, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813-1985</ref>
He died on 10 October 1953 (aged 75) at St James's Hospital, Leeds. He was buried on 14 October 1953 at All Saints Church Barwick in Elmet.<ref>West Yorkshire, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813–1985</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

*


{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, John}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Birch, John}}
[[Category:1878 births]]
[[Category:1878 births]]
[[Category:1955 deaths]]
[[Category:1953 deaths]]
[[Category:England national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:England national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:English rugby league players]]
[[Category:English rugby league players]]
[[Category:Great Britain national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Great Britain national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Leeds Rhinos players]]
[[Category:Leeds Rhinos players]]
[[Category:People from Tadcaster]]
[[Category:People from Garforth]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from the City of Leeds]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Rugby league forwards]]
[[Category:Rugby league forwards]]
[[Category:People from Garforth]]

Latest revision as of 22:20, 4 June 2024

John Birch
Personal information
Full nameJohn Wilkinson Birch
Born(1878-06-01)1 June 1878
Garforth, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died10 October 1953(1953-10-10) (aged 75)
Barwick-in-Elmet, West Riding of Yorkshire, England
Playing information
Height5 ft 11.5 in (1.816 m)
Weight13 st 0 lb (83 kg)
PositionForward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1897–1901 Leeds Parish Church
1901–09 Leeds 232 26 1 80
1913–1915 Castleford
Total 232 26 1 0 80
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1908 England 1 1 0 0 3
1908 Great Britain 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2][3]

John Wilkinson Birch (1878 – 10 October 1953) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1890s and 1900s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Leeds Parish Church and Leeds, as a forward.[1]

Birch was born on 1 June 1878 and baptised on Christmas Day 1878 at St Mary's church Garforth, Leeds. His father was George Birch of Barrowby Lane who was a very large man weighing around 24 stone and also a very well known character of Garforth known to the villagers as Scribbin Birch, His mother was Alice Ellen Smith of Garforth he married Annie Simpson of Kippax in 1898.[4][5]

Playing career

[edit]

Birch played for the Leeds Parish church rugby team he was in the team when they played their last ever match on Wednesday 24 April 1901 Scoring a Try against York with the result going in favour of the Parish Church 21–2 the club was disbanded when the lease on its Clarence Road ground expired When Leeds Parish Church disbanded in 1901 the Church Committee generously placed the whole of their playing staff at the disposal of the Leeds Club who welcomed John Wilkinson Birch and seven of his colleagues; W. Cororan, C. Crumpton, W. Evans, S. Herberts, G. Hewlett, J. McNicholas, and George Mosley. These players did more than merely join the Leeds club, they gave to it all their loyalty, skill and spirit. John Wilkinson Birch made his début against Wakefield Trinity at Headingley on 7 September 1901 running out winners 16–9, many Leeds followers think that strength of the side of these days was greater than anything there has been at Headingley since, and there are many good judges who firmly believe that this 1906 team was the best that ever wore the Leeds jersey; Young, Jenkins, T. Llewellyn, Thomas, Hughes, Ward, Brayshaw, Hewlett, Stead, Lunn, Watts, Webster, Wainwright, Wormald, John Wilkinson Birch. It may be that the passage of time lends enchantment, but it is certainly no exaggeration to say that many of the players in that team are still revered at Headingley today.[6]

International honours

[edit]

John Wilkinson Birch won a cap for England while at Leeds in 1908 against Wales,[2] and won a cap for Great Britain while at Leeds in 1908 against New Zealand.[3]

Leeds v The Rest 1902

[edit]

When Leeds won the Yorkshire Senior Competition in 1901/02 Leeds proved themselves true Champions with victory over The Rest a team made up of the best players from rival clubs the result been 7–5 on 19 April 1902 at Headingley. The team that day was; Dean, Evans, Littlewood, Davies, Mudd, George Mosley (another ex-Leeds Parish Church), Grace, Hewlett, John Wilkinson Birch, Crumpton, McNicholas, Taylor, Crowther, Hanson, Midgley.

Leeds v New Zealand 1907

[edit]

The Leeds team took on New Zealand on 26 October 1907 at Headingley during their pioneering 1907–08 tour of Great Britain. The game was kicked off by Birch in heavy rain making the ground treacherous underfoot the game ended up a win for the tourists 8–2, the team that day was; Young, Scamans, Fawcett, Thomas, Llewellyn, Ward, Wilson, John Wilkinson Birch, Burnley, Harrison, Stead, Wainwright, Webster.

Northern union/Great Britain v New Zealand 1908

[edit]

Birch once again met the New Zealand in the third test match on Saturday 13 February 1908 at the Athletic Ground, Cheltenham when he won a cap for Great Britain while playing for his club team Leeds, the game was won by New Zealand 8–5 and the famous encounter would become known as the Great Match of the Edwardian Period. The Great Britain team that day was; H. Taylor, W. Batten, B. Jenkins, P. Thomas, G. Tyson, T. White, J. Jolley, A. Smith, J. L. Clampitt, John Wilkinson Birch, J. Spencer, W. Holder.[7]

Retirement

[edit]

Birch retired in 1909. His final game was against Hunslet in the 2nd round of the Northern Union Cup. He broke his collarbone within the first 10 minutes of the cup tie but with rare pluck kept on playing as the Yorkshire Evening Post states (20 March 1909). The match was played in front of 22,000 thousand spectators and Hunslet opted to play there biggest six forwards leaving out Smales and Davies and the result justified this selection, The Leeds front rank being entirely worn down by the "Terrible Six" before the end of the game. The result been Hunslet 15 Leeds 9. The Leeds team that day was; F. Young, G. Desborough, F. Oliver, F. Ware, W. Goldthorpe, J. Fawcett, R. Ward, R. Jones, F. Webster, F. Harrison, S. Whitaker, J. Townend, T.H. Wainwright, W. Jarman, J.W. Birch, and E. Hughes.[8]

Death

[edit]

He died on 10 October 1953 (aged 75) at St James's Hospital, Leeds. He was buried on 14 October 1953 at All Saints Church Barwick in Elmet.[9]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org (forename misspelt as Jim)". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 27 November 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ^ West Yorkshire, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813–1910
  5. ^ Garforth Historical Society
  6. ^ Dalby, Ken (1955). The Headingley Story – 1890–1955 – Volume One – Rugby. The Leeds Cricket, Football & Athletic Co. Ltd ASIN: B0018JNGVM
  7. ^ "Home". allgoldsrugby.co.uk.
  8. ^ "Home | Search the archive | British Newspaper Archive". Retrieved 16 July 2019 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  9. ^ West Yorkshire, England, Deaths and Burials, 1813–1985
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