Alfred Burnell (14 June 1924[5] – 25 August 2019), also known by the nickname of "Ginger", was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s, 1940s and 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England, Yorkshire and British Empire XIII, and at club level for Hunslet and Leeds (World War II guest), as a scrum-half.[2] During World War II, Burnell served in the Royal Navy, and spent four years as a submariner on detachment as part of the United States task force in Australasia.[6]

Alf Burnell
Personal information
Full nameAlfred Burnell
Born(1924-06-14)14 June 1924[1]
Hunslet district, England
Died25 August 2019(2019-08-25) (aged 95)
Leeds, England
Playing information
PositionScrum-half
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1939–58 Hunslet
≤1945–≥46 Leeds (guest)
Total 0 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1946–≥54 Yorkshire 5
1950–52 England 4 4 0 0 12
≤1950–≥54 British Empire XIII
1951–54 Great Britain 3 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3][4]

Background

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Burnell's birth was registered in Hunslet district, South Leeds, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, he was a submariner in the Royal Navy during World War II, as of August 2016, he lived in Wharfedale in the Yorkshire Dales, he died aged 95 in St James's University Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, and his funeral will take place at St Wilfred's Parish Church, Pool-in-Wharfedale, LS21 1RY, at 2:15pm on Thursday 12 September 2019, followed by a reception at the South Leeds Stadium, Phoenix Bar, LS11 5DJ.[7]

International honours

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Burnell won caps for England while at Hunslet in 1950 against France, in 1951 against Wales, and France, in 1952 against Wales,[3] won caps for British Empire XIII while at Hunslet in ±1945 against ?-caps, and won caps for Great Britain while at Hunslet in 1951 against New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1954 against New Zealand.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Up And Under - The Rugby League Oral History - Alf Burnell
  2. ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ a b "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. ^ a b "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. ^ "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  6. ^ "Former Hunslet hero Alf 'Ginger' Burnell dies aged 95". rugbyleagueproject.org. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
  7. ^ "Yorkshire Day heroes: RL hero Alf's still a champ at age of 92". yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
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