Johnny Nolan

Johnny Nolan (1864 – 1 December 1907) was an English rugby union footballer who played in the 1880s and 1890s. He played at representative level for British Isles, and at club level for Rochdale Hornets as a Half-back, his death was registered in Barton-upon-Irwell, Lancashire. Prior to Tuesday 2 June 1896, Rochdale was a rugby union club. He has the distinction of being the first player to score a hat-trick of tries for the British Lions.

Early life Johnny Nolan was one of eight children (seven brothers and a daughter) born to Irish parents. He started working life in the cotton trade at the age of 11. notably striking three times in the 4-0 win over Canterbury at Lancaster Park.

Outside rugby Having been one of eight children, Nolan went on to have seven children himself. He had started his working life at the age of 11 in the cotton industry. He died in 1907 as the result of fatal injuries sustained in a scaffolding accident while he was working on the extensions to the Atlas Mill in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire.