Harry Varley

Henry Varley (25 November 1867 – 21 November 1915 ) was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1880s and 1890s, and coached rugby league in the 1890s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Liversedge, as a scrum-half, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Lancashire, and at club level for Oldham (captain during the 1895–96 season) alongside Arthur Lees from 1895, and Leeds, as a or . Prior to Thursday 29 August 1895, Liversedge was a rugby union club.

Background Harry Varley was born in Cleckheaton/Bradford (see note), West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he died aged 47 in Oldham, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

International honours Harry Varley played for Liversedge (24.12.1887 v Kirkstall-?) P44. He won a cap for England (RU) while at Liversedge in the 1892 Home Nations Championship against Scotland.

Coaching career

Challenge Cup Final appearances Harry Varley was the coach in Oldham's 19–9 victory over Hunslet in 1899 Challenge Cup Final during the 1898–99 season at Fallowfield Stadium, Manchester, in front of a crowd of 15,763, and as a mark of appreciation the Oldham players paid to have a special medal struck, that bore the Oldham coat of arms and a Challenge Cup related inscription.

Note ESPN states Harry Varley's birthplace as being Cleckheaton, whereas FreeBMD.com quotes it as being registered 6-miles away in Bradford.