Name James Lomas Role Rugby player | Height 1.70 m | |
James Lomas (26 August 1879 – 11 February 1960) was a pioneering English rugby league footballer of the late 19th century, and early 20th century. Hailing from Maryport, Cumberland, his career lasted for twenty-four years from 1899 to 1923. A three-quarter and prominent goal-kicker, Lomas captained the Great Britain national rugby league team.
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Early life
Lomas was born on 26 August 1879 in Maryport, Cumberland, England, the son of Sarah (née Tyson) and James Lomas. He is the younger brother of Tom Smith, who played association football for Preston North End and Tottenham Hotspur.
Early career
Lomas started his career with his hometown rugby union club, Maryport. His first known appearance for the first team came on 14 November 1896 in a 3–0 defeat against Millom. Lomas remained with the club when they made the switch to rugby league and joined the Northern Union in March 1898. In 1899, he made his début appearance for Cumberland aged 19, scoring the only try of the match which was a 3-0 victory over Cheshire at Whitehaven.
1900s
Lomas became rugby league's first £100 transfer, from Bramley to Salford in 1901 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £35,890 in 2013). He then played in 1904's first ever international rugby league match for England against Other Nationalities. His club record for most points in a game (39), achieved for Salford against Liverpool City on 2 February 1907, still stands today.
Lomas was also notable for his goal-kicking style. He was the first player to stand the ball up on its end. Lomas won caps for England while at Salford playing Centre, i.e. number 4, but arriving after the start of the match, in the 3-9 defeat by Other Nationalities at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 5 April 1904, in the first ever international rugby league match. in 1905 against Other Nationalities, in 1906 against Other Nationalities, in 1908 against New Zealand, and Wales, in 1909 against Australia (3 matches) and Wales. Lomas also won caps for Great Britain while at Salford in 1908–09 against Australia (2 matches, both as captain), in 1910 against Australia (2 matches), Australasia and New Zealand. Lomas captained the successful first British tour of the Southern Hemisphere which began on 4 June 1910. He also represented England in 1910 against Wales.
1910s
In 1910 he joined Oldham from Salford for a fee of £300, (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £104,600 in 2013), while there in 1911 playing for England against Wales, and Australia (2 matches). Lomas also played in Oldham's Challenge Cup loss to Dewsbury in the 1912 final. Also while at Oldham he represented Great Britain in 1911–12 Australia (2 matches).
During Lomas' time there was Salford's 5-3 victory over Huddersfield in the Championship Final during the 1913–14 season. He had also represented Cumberland, and Lancashire.
1920s
As the coach of Salford, player shortages forced Lomas to play in some cup matches for Salford in the 1922–23 season, and in 1923–24 season he was again forced to make some appearances. His last match for Salford, aged 44, was against Wakefield Trinity on 29 September 1923. He continued in his coaching role at Salford until the 1925–26 season.
Legacy
The Courtney Goodwill Trophy, international rugby league′s first, was presented for the first time in 1936 and depicted Lomas, along with other pioneering greats of the code, Jean Galia (France), Albert Baskiville (New Zealand) and Dally Messenger (Australia).
Lomas was the subject of a book, The King of Brilliance: James Lomas – a Rugby League Superstar, which was published in 2011.
Club
Maryport
Cumberland Senior League (1): 1899–1900
Oldham
Rugby League Championship: 1910–11
Representative
Lancashire
County Championship (3): 1902–03, 1903–04, 1905–06
Cumberland
County Championship (3): 1907–08, 1909–10, 1911–12
Career statistics
Lomas was a prolific points scorer throughout his career, finishing with a total of 2,312 points in all competitions. Lomas' total points was an all-time career record until it was surpassed by Jim Sullivan during the 1928–29 season.