UP
Ralph Parkinson Hull FC and Yorkshire County Forward
1891 census Ralph at the age of 18 years old was living with his family in Stanley Road, Barrow in Furness, Lancashire. At the age of 24 Ralph had moved to the East Coast and was playing rugby for South Shields then was transferred on the 16 Sept 1897 to Leeds Parish Church.
He played for Leeds Parish Church for a season then the 25 year old was transferred from Leeds Parish Church to Hull FC.
Ralph Parkinson was a big strapping fellow who showed a turn of speed and very good handing skills for a front row forward.
It is recorded that Parkinson played his first game for Hull in December 1898. The summery report produced by Hull FC on 30 Jan 1899, states ex Leeds Parish Church player Parkinson played a reasonable game against Castleford nothing outstanding but was to be expected as he was out of condition.
10 matches followed and Parkinson was making a name for himself as he was chosen to play in a trial match for county honours.
The following season he played 20 matches and was selected as Hull FC vice captain and for his outstanding play he was selected to play for Yorkshire against Cheshire on the 28 October 1899.
It was said by a family member that Ralph Parkinson had a nick name the Iron Horse
I can well believe it because he was suspended for a month by Hull FC for assaulting a director and the secretary of the club.
I can imagine the scene as the vice captain he would be in the board room of the players select meeting and being a player he would have no say who was to be included or dropped from the team. I think he must have taken exception to what was said and lost his temper and lashed out.
Still it did not affect his standing in the team, there is an association of ideas and aims in Hull FC amongst the players and managers alike, hence the teams smooth passage through the paths where danger lurks and where disorganised atoms fall easy prays. Few clubs can boast of the espirit de corps
which charaterises the Hull FC.
And so long as as harmonious relations exist will the fifteen be in the first rank of Northern Union football. Parkinson continued to give good service to Hull FC for the 1900-1901 and 1901-1902 season.
November 1903 Ralph Parkinson was transferred to Pontefract, during February 1894 it was said that Hull FC asked Ralph to assist them against Bradford. As his loyalties were now with Pontefract he was to give them sterling service for a couple of seasons.
Outside rugby and in the 1911 census shows Ralphs employment as a Ship Driller, but it also seems he has tried his hand at joining the ranks of the Insurance Agency.
He also took over a public beer house at 8 Osborne-street in January 1905 then the Beresford Tavern alehouse in Upper Union Street Dec 1908, those premises are no longer there as the area has been redeveloped. There was a period where he lived in Day Street and I believe that when Ralph retired from Rugby he left the area to go to the North East town of Durham.
Parkinson playing record whilst with Hull FC 105 games, scoring 6 tries and 44 goals, one appearance for Yorkshire County against Cheshire,
