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Sammy Morfitt, Hull FC, Yorkshire County, Durham County and England Half-Back
Two Games in One Day
Sammy Morfitt debut for Hull FC. came in unusual circumstances, which would not occur nowadays. One Saturday afternoon he was playing for Southcoates at Craven Street. This was early 1889s, he was informed that Hull were a man short and required his services as soon as he could make it. At the end of the Southcoates match, he ran from Craven Street to the Holderness ground and assisted Hull to finish their game. Note there was no rule against this at the time.
Sammy was just a youngster and competition for a half back place in Hulls team was high, he was selected to play for Hull against the NZ Maoris on 25 March 1889, during the 1889-1890 season he transferred to Kingston Rovers to get regular game time.
He left the city and transferred to West Hartlepool where he made a name for himself as a great rugby player he played for England and Durham, and on his return to Hull again signed for Rovers where he represented Yorkshire a number of times. Sammy, a boxer, runner, and useful rifle shot in his day, is still a familiar and well known figure in East Hull. Won 6 caps, represented England 1894 to 1896, won 10 caps representing Durham, 7 won caps representing Yorkshire.
Whilst playing for West Hartlepool Sammy Morfitt was selected to play for England and is seated in the front row on the right of the photo. England beat Wales 24-3 on January 6th 1894, at Birkenhead.
Sammy later came back to Hull and re-signed for Kingston Rovers.
