Hi,

I recently found out that Fred Harris who played for Leeds in the 1930's was a relative of mine. I'm currently trying to find out more information about him but there isn't much info at all on the internet.

Does anyone have any photographs or stories about him? I'm aware he played in the Challenge Cup final in 1936 (and scored). Is there video footage of this final available anywhere?

Can anyone help me find out what happened to him after he finished playing for Leeds?

Finally - I guess it's unlikley with it being so long ago but is anyone old enough to have seen him play?

Thanks.

If you can get hold of any volumes of the headingley story I have just got volume 5 in my hands its called exodus and he has got a mention in the report of the challenge cup final apparently he scored a brilliant try.He played 199 games for Leeds.There is also a book destination Wembley history of all wembley finals there is a report in there

Do you know where he lived ?

When I first started supporting Leeds as a 12 year old in the late 50's there were supporters who spoke of Fred Harris in glowing terms. He was a centre who played inside his namesake Eric Harris (the Toowoomba Ghost) and I think was a International in the late 30's. He previously played with Leigh where he first becaame an International.

If you can get a copy of Ken Dalby's Headingley Story to cover mid to late 1930's you should find out more.

Thanks very much for your replies. I'll try to get hold of a copy of the Headingley Story.

McLaren Field - I know he was born in Wigan and lived in Westhoughton. He signed for Leigh in 1931 then was sold to Leeds in 1935. I don't know where he lived in Leeds though, I have no record of him past this point unfortunately.

Ive just been thinking about this and I think there was an article in the YORKSHIRE EVENING POST about Fred Harris not too many years ago.Maybe if you contact they YEP they may be able to help you

That's great thanks. I will contact them now.

Just to add i have a book called "Images of England Leeds Rugby League Club" by Phil Caplan and Les Hoole.
There's about 5/6 pages in there with pics some game write ups and other stuff that include Fred plus some features very interesting stuff mate.

All taken from Headingley Story volumes.

Vol 1 page 97, 98, 99 & 100







Vol 4 page 37



Vol 5 Pages 57, 58 & 59







I love the quote from the report "...and he ran in as fine a try as ever will be seen at Wembley".

Great stuff & he sounds to have been a fine player!

Inflatable Armadillo - thanks very much for taking the time out to scan those in, much appreciated. Very informative and great to read. Fantastic description of the try at Wembley and love the line "a try of incomparable artistry"!

Rhinoms - thanks for that info. I don't suppose you know anywhere I can get hold of a copy of that book do you? They appear to be out of stock everywhere online.

I found a copy here...www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Searc ... cm_ven=aff

I found a copy here...www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/Searc ... cm_ven=aff

Thanks, just ordered it!

Just looking at those shots of the Wembley player's .I wonder if any of shirts with the badge are still in the possion of any of the player's families?

3 defeats in 4 days and 56th try of the season!

I will try to post a copy of the Leeds team page from the 1936 RL Cup programme which I have.