Jack Riley (rugby league)

Jack Riley (c. 1874 – 19 June 1924) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s.

[1] Riley started his rugby career with his local team in the village of Luddenden Foot, aged 17.

[3] Jack Riley won a cap playing as a forward (in an experimental 12-a-side team), for England in the 3–9 defeat by Other Nationalities at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 5 April 1904,[2] in the first ever international rugby league match.

[4] Jack Riley played as a forward in Halifax's 7–0 victory over Salford in the 1902–03 Challenge Cup Final during the 1902–03 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 25 April 1903, in front of a crowd of 32,507,[5] and played as a forward in the 8–3 victory over Warrington in the 1903–04 Challenge Cup Final during the 1903–04 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 30 April 1904, in front of a crowd of 17,041.

On 19 June 1924, Riley died at the Old King Cross Inn in Halifax, aged 50.