Arthur Smith (rugby)

'Mad' Arthur Smith was an English rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1900s and 1910s, playing club level rugby union (RU) for Yorkley RFC, and Cinderford R.F.C., and playing representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Oldham, as a Prop, Second-row, or Loose forward/Lock, i.e. number 8 or 10, 11 or 12, or 13, during the era of contested scrums. He fought when the First World War commenced and resumed his career after hostilities despite having a German bullet in his body for the rest of his days.

International honours

Arthur Smith won caps for England (RL) while at Oldham in 1906 against Other Nationalities, in 1908 against New Zealand, and Wales, in 1909 against Australia (3 matches), and won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Oldham in 1908 against New Zealand (3 matches), and in 1908–09 against Australia (3 matches).

Championship Final appearances

Arthur Smith played Right-Second-row, i.e. number 12, in Oldham's 3-7 defeat by Wigan in the Championship final during the 1908–09 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 1 May 1909.

County Cup Final Appearances

Arthur Smith played Right-Second-row, i.e. number 12, in Oldham's 9-10 defeat by Wigan in the 1908 Lancashire Cup final during the 1908–09 season at Wheater's Field, Broughton, Salford on Saturday 19 December 1908.

His intriguing sobriquet of 'Mad' was due to his forceful and enthusiastic style of play.