Quick Facts
Biography
Edmund "Eddie" 'Smiler' Szymala (April→June 1954) born in Barrow-in-Furness district, Lancashire, is an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 1980s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Barrow, as a Second-row, i.e. number 11 or 12.
Playing career
International honours
Eddie Szymala won a cap for England while at Barrow in 1979 against France (sub), and won caps for Great Britain while at Barrow in 1981 against France (sub), and France.
County Cup final appearances
Eddie Szymala played Right-Second-row, i.e. number 12 in Barrow's 12-8 victory over Widnes in the 1983 Lancashire Cup final during the 1983–84 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 1 October 1983, the entire Barrow team was inducted into the Barrow Hall of Fame in 2003.
John Player Trophy final appearances
Eddie Szymala played as an Interchange/Substitute, i.e. number 15, (replacing Hooker Howard Allen) in Barrow's 5-12 defeat by Warrington in the 1980–81 John Player Trophy final at Central Park, Wigan, on Saturday 24 January 1981.
Testimonial match
Derek Hadley, and Eddie Szymala shared a Testimonial match/Benefit season at Barrow during the 1983–84 Rugby Football League season.
Honoured at Barrow Raiders
David Cairns, and Eddie Szymala were both inducted into the Barrow Hall of Fame as individuals in 2010, having previously been inducted as part of 1983–84 Lancashire Cup winning team in 2003.