John Toothill

John "Jack" Thomas Toothill (birth registered April–June 1866 – 29 June 1947) was an English rugby union footballer of the 1890s, playing at representative level for England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Bradford F.C., as a Forward, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row, he died in Bradford. Prior to Tuesday 27 August 1895, Bradford F.C. was a rugby union club, and since 1907 it has been the association football (soccer) club Bradford Park Avenue A.F.C..

Playing career

International honours

Jack Toothill won caps for England while at Bradford F.C. in the 1890 Home Nations Championship against Scotland, and Ireland, in the 1891 Home Nations Championship against Wales, and Ireland, in the 1892 Home Nations Championship against Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, in the 1893 Home Nations Championship against Wales, Ireland, and Scotland, in the 1894 Home Nations Championship against Wales, and Ireland.

In the early years of rugby football the goal was to score goals, and a try had zero value, but it provided the opportunity to try at goal, and convert the try to a goal with an unopposed kick at the goal posts. The point values of both the try and goal have varied over time, and in the early years footballers could "score" a try, without scoring any points.

County honours

Jack Toothill won cap(s) for Yorkshire while at Bradford F.C., in William Barnes Wollen's painting of Yorkshire's 11–3 victory over Lancashire during the 1893/94 season, a painting that is now held at the Rugby Football Union headquarters in the Twickenham Stadium, Alf Barraclough can be seen being tackled, and passing the ball to Jack Toothill, with Tommy Dobson on the outside.

Change of Code

When Bradford F.C. converted from the rugby union code to the rugby league code on Tuesday 27 August 1895, Jack Toothill would have been approximately 29. Consequently, he may have been both a rugby union and rugby league footballer for Bradford F.C.

Genealogical information

Jack Toothill's marriage was registered during April–June 1892 in Bradford. He died on 29 June 1947 at the age of 81.