Name Gerry Helme | Died 1981 | |
Gerard "Gerry" J. Helme (birth registered April→June 1923 — died 19 December 1981 (aged 59)) birth registered in Leigh district, was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1940s, and 1950s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, England, Combined Nationalities, and Lancashire, and at club level for Warrington, as a scrum-half/halfback, i.e. number 7. Helme is a Warrington Wolves Hall of Fame inductee.
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Playing career
Helme played scrum-half/halfback in Warrington's 15-5 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1947-48 Championship Final at Maine Road, Manchester. Helme played scrum-half/halfback in Warrington's 19-0 victory over Widnes in the 1950 Challenge Cup Final during the 1949–50 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 6 May 1950, in front of a crowd of 94,249, played scrum-half/halfback in the 4-4 draw with Halifax in the 1954 Challenge Cup Final during the 1953–54 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 24 April 1954, in front of a crowd of 81,841, and played scrum-half/halfback in the 8-4 victory over Halifax 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.
Helme became the first player to win the Lance Todd Trophy twice, his first coming in the victory over Widnes in the 1950 Challenge Cup Final , and his second coming in the victory over Haliax in the 1954 Challenge Cup Final replay.
Helme represented Combined Nationalities in the 15-19 defeat by France at Stade de Gerland, Lyon on Sunday 3 January 1954, won caps for England while at Warrington in 1948 against Wales, France, in 1949 against Wales, France, in 1953 against France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Warrington in 1948 against Australia (3 matches), in 1954 against Australia (3 matches), New Zealand (2 matches), in the 1954 Rugby League World Cup against France (2 matches), Australia, New Zealand. He also helped Great Britain to victory by scoring the match-winning try in the first ever World Cup Final in 1954.
Helme played scrum-half/halfback in Warrington's 8-14 defeat by Wigan in the 1948 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1948–49 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 13 November 1948, and played scrum-half/halfback in Warrington's 5-28 defeat by Wigan in the 1950 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1950–51 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 4 November 1950.
Coaching career
After retiring from playing, Gerry Helme had coaching roles with Leigh, and Oldham.