Albert Fearnley

{{short description|English RL coach and former rugby league footballer}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}}

{{Infobox rugby league biography

| name = Albert Fearnley

| fullname = Albert Fearnley

| image =

| image_size =

| caption =

| birth_date = {{birth date|df=y|1924|3|10}}

| birth_place = Bradford, England

| death_date = {{death date and age|df=y|1999|5|4|1924|3|10}}

| death_place = Felixstowe, Suffolk, England

| height =

| weight =

| position = {{rlp|SR|HK}}

| club1 = {{nowrap|Oldham RLFC}}

| year1start = 1949

| year1end = 50

| appearances1 = 29

| tries1 = 5

| goals1 = 0

| fieldgoals1 = 0

| points1 = 15

| club2 = Halifax RLFC

| year2start = 1950

| year2end = 57

| appearances2 = 207

| tries2 = 38

| goals2 = 0

| fieldgoals2 = 0

| points2 = 114

| coachteam1 = Halifax RLFC

| coachyear1start = 1964

| coachyear1end = 65

| coachgames1 = 0

| coachwins1 = 0

| coachdraws1 = 0

| coachlosses1 = 0

| coachteam2 = {{nowrap|Bradford Northern}}

| coachyear2start = 1975

| coachyear2end =

| coachgames2 = 0

| coachwins2 = 0

| coachdraws2 = 0

| coachlosses2 = 0

| coachteam3 = Batley

| coachyear3start = 1977

| coachyear3end = 77

| coachgames3 = 0

| coachwins3 = 0

| coachdraws3 = 0

| coachlosses3 = 0

| coachteam4 = {{nowrap|Blackpool Borough}}

| coachyear4start = 1978

| coachyear4end = 79

| coachgames4 = 0

| coachwins4 = 0

| coachdraws4 = 0

| coachlosses4 = 0

| coachteam5 = Keighley

| coachyear5start = 1979

| coachteam6 = Keighley

| coachyear6start = 1980

| coachyear6end = 81

| updated = 20 January 2025

| source =

| new = yes

| module = {{infobox person

| embed = yes

| father =

| mother =

| spouse =

| education =

| alma_mater =

| relatives = Gordon Fearnley (son)
Stanley Fearnley (son)

}}

}}

Albert Fearnley (10 March 1924 – 4 May 1999) was an English rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, and coached in the 1960s and 1950s. Fearnley started his career at Rochdale Hornets and went on to play for Oldham,{{cite web|title=Player Statistics|url=http://www.orl-heritagetrust.org.uk/HTML%20docs/player_stats_e_f.htm|publisher=Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust|accessdate=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050407063319/http://www.orl-heritagetrust.org.uk/HTML%20docs/player_stats_e_f.htm|archive-date=7 April 2005|url-status=dead}} Halifax, Featherstone Rovers and Batley, as {{rlp|sr}}.Bailey, Ron (1956). The Official History Of Featherstone Rovers R.L.F.C.. Wakefield Express. ASIN: B00O1TLDPC After retiring as a player, he coached at club level for Halifax, Bradford Northern, Batley, and Blackpool Borough.

Background

Fearnley was born in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England.{{cite web|last=Hadfield|first=Dave|title=Obituary: Albert Fearnley|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-albert-fearnley-1092865.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223133133/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/obituary-albert-fearnley-1092865.html |archive-date=2014-02-23 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|work=The Independent|accessdate=25 January 2014|date=11 May 1999}}

Playing career

=Challenge Cup Final appearances=

Fearnley played at {{rlp|sr}} in Halifax's 4–8 defeat by Warrington in the 1954 Challenge Cup Final replay during the 1953–54 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 May 1954, in front of a record crowd of 102,575 or more.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/mud-blood-and-memories-of-the-day-when-102575-made-history-at-odsal-59103.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522115245/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/rugby-league/mud-blood-and-memories-of-the-day-when-102575-made-history-at-odsal-59103.html |archive-date=2015-05-22 |url-access=limited |url-status=live|title=Mud, blood and memories of the day when 102,575 made history at Odsal|publisher=independent.co.uk|date=31 December 2016|accessdate=1 January 2017}}

Coaching career

=Halifax=

Fearnley was the coach in Halifax's 15–7 victory over St. Helens in the 1964–65 Championship Final during the 1964–65 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 22 May 1965.Irvin Saxton (publish date tbc) "History of Rugby League – № 70 – 1964–65". Rugby Leaguer ISBN n/a

=Bradford Northern=

Fearnley joined Bradford Northern as a developments officer in 1966, and worked in several different roles at the club over the next decade.{{cite web |title=Former Northern Fearnley hero dies |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/8065435.former-northern-fearnleyhero-dies/ |website=Bradford Telegraph and Argus |access-date=4 May 2025 |date=6 May 1999}}

=Club career=

Fearnley was the coach of Batley from June 1977 to October 1977.

Personal life

Fearnley had two sons and one daughter. His elder son, Stan, played for Bradford Northern while Albert was general manager at the club, and also went on to play for Leeds. His other son, Gordon, was a professional footballer who played for Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol Rovers and Fort Lauderdale Strikers.

References

{{Reflist}}