John Toothill
English rugby union and rugby league footballer
About John Toothill
Lived 1866 – 1947 (aged 80–81). John Toothill was a British rugby league player and rugby union player.
John Thomas Toothill (birth registered second ¼ 1866 – 29 June 1947 ) was an English rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1890s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Bradford FC, as a forward, e.g. front row, lock, or back row, and club level rugby league (RL) for Bradford FC, as a forward. Prior to Tuesday 27 August 1895, Bradford FC was a rugby union club, it then became a rugby league club, and since 1907 it has been the association football (soccer) club Bradford Park Avenue.
Background Jack Toothill's birth was registered in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, and he died aged 81 in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. in William Barnes Wollen's painting of Yorkshire's 11–3 victory over Lancashire during the 1893/94 season, a painting that is now held at the Rugby Football Union headquarters in the Twickenham Stadium, Alfred "Alf" Barraclough can be seen being tackled, and passing the ball to Jack Toothill, with Tommy Dobson on the outside, although Tommy Dobson did not actually participate in this particular match.
Challenge Cup Final appearances Jack Toothill played as a forward in Bradford FC's 0–7 defeat by Batley in the 1898 Challenge Cup Final during the 1897–98 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 23 April 1898, in front of a crowd of 27,941.
Change of Code When Bradford FC converted from the rugby union code to the rugby league code on Tuesday 27 August 1895, Jack Toothill would have been approximately 29. Consequently, he was both a rugby union and rugby league footballer for Bradford FC.
Genealogical information Jack Toothill's marriage was registered during second ¼ 1892 in Bradford.
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Important facts
People in John Toothill's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Toothill's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Toothill?
English rugby union and rugby league footballer
When was John Toothill born?
John Toothill was born in 1866.
When did John Toothill die?
John Toothill died on 29 June 1947.
What was John Toothill's occupation?
John Toothill was a rugby league player and rugby union player.
What nationality was John Toothill?
John Toothill was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Toothill. https://biography.guide/john-toothill-rugby-league-player/
MLA: "John Toothill." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-toothill-rugby-league-player/.
Chicago: "John Toothill." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-toothill-rugby-league-player/.
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