Brian Riley

Brian Riley was a New Zealand international rugby league footballer. His older brother Lawrence Leonard Riley (known by Leonard though nicknamed 'Spot') played for Ponsonby United also, and was captain of the senior side. He was still playing when Brian debuted in 1933 at the age of 18 with Leonard aged 28. He also had an older sister, Rene Ruth Riley who was born in 1906. His first match for Ponsonby was against City Rovers at Carlaw Park on 1 July. Leonard had been selected to go on the New Zealand tour of Australia in 1930 but was unable to travel.

Riley was Ponsonby's second highest try scorer in their first three decades with 57 tries from 1933 to 1942, only behind Arthur Kay with 71.

Personal life and death Brian Riley married Valdora 'Val' Peace Matthews (1918-1999) and they had four sons, one of who was, Terrence William Riley (1945-2020).