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Hull Footballer Crushed to Death
James Tanner Hull FC
James Tanner the well-known Hull three-quarter-back and former captain of the Heckmondwhite Club, was killed at Barry yesterday morning 20 August 1902.
He only arrived at the dock on the previous morning, having gone there from Hull in search of work, Tanner was standing on the railway siding smoking a cigarette and leaning on the stop block had his back to some trucks which closed upon him.
When released life was extinct he was between 29 and 30 years of age and lived in Lee Smith Street Hedon Road. He was a married man with two or three children.
Joining the Hull Club in the season 1897-98, Tanners partnership with Driscoll was a chief factor in the success of the best season the club has ever experienced and will not be readily forgotten.
He commenced his football career with Penarth in 1890 and before coming to Hull he played for Mountain Ash and Heckmondwhite. Tanner played at full back in Wales, and was once a reserve for Glamorgan in that position.
It was on the three-quarter line, however, that he rendered Hull best services although occasionally played a fine game as custodian. The Season before last Tanner was suspended for some offence under the Northern Union rules and after his suspension expired last year he played very few games with Hull His playing record for Hull FC was 80 matches and scored 24 tries.
The news of his death in such a shocking manner has caused profound feeling of regret in Hull football.
Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer 21 August 1902
1898-99 Hull FC Team photo with James Tanner front row second player from the left
Only a couple of houses and a pub left standing in Lee smith street
