Jim Brough

James "Gentleman Jim" Wasdale Brough (5 November 1903 – 16 September 1986) born in Silloth, Cumberland, was an English dual-code international rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s, and 1930s, and rugby league coach of the 1950s, playing representative level rugby union (RU) for England, and Cumberland, and at club level for Silloth RUFC, as a Fullback, i.e. number 15, and playing representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain (Captain), and England, and at club level for Leeds, as a Fullback, or Centre, i.e. number 1, 3 or 4, and coaching representative level rugby league (RL) for Great Britain, and at club level for Workington Town, he died in Workington, Cumbria.

International honours

Jim Brough made two international rugby union appearances for England (RU) while he was playing with Silloth RUFC. His Test début was in January 1925 against New Zealand at Twickenham and two weeks later he appeared against Wales. He changed code and turned professional in 1925, joining Leeds and won caps for England (RL) in 1926 against Wales, and Other Nationalities, in 1928 against Wales, in 1929 against Other Nationalities, in 1932 against Wales, in 1933 against Other Nationalities, in 1934 against Australia, in 1935 against France, and Wales, in 1936 against Wales, and France, and won caps for Great Britain (RL) while at Leeds in 1928 against Australia (2 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1936 against Australia (Captain).

County honours

Jim Brough represented Cumberland (RU) while at Silloth RUFC. including the 14–3 victory over Kent in the 1924 County Championship at Carlisle.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Jim Brough played Fullback in Leeds' 11–8 victory over Swinton in the 1931–32 Challenge Cup Final at Central Park, Wigan, on Saturday 7 May 1932, then was Captain in the 18–2 victory over Huddersfield in the 1935–36 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 18 April 1936, he missed the 19–2 victory over Halifax in the 1940–41 Challenge Cup Final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, and played Fullback in the 15–10 victory over Halifax in the 1941–42 Challenge Cup Final at Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

Club career

Jim Brough made his début for Leeds against York at Headingley on Wednesday 2 September 1925.

International honours

Jim Brough was the coach of Great Britain (RL).

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Jim Brough was the coach in Workington Town's 12–21 defeat by Barrow in the 1955 Challenge Cup Final during the 1954–55 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 30 April 1955, and was the coach in the 9–13 defeat by Wigan in the 1958 Challenge Cup Final during the 1957–58 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 10 May 1958.

In 2005 in honour of Jim Brough, Silloth RUFC renamed its ground, The Jim Brough Rugby Park.

Jim Brough's marriage to Florance Annie Carr was registered during April→June 1928 in Wigton district. They had children; Rachel M. Brough, Frances A. Brough, the golfer Samuel J. Brough (1931(33?) - 2014), Joseph C. Brough, and the twins the golfer Florance Poinsettia Pamela Brough (b. 1936), and Joyce Brough. Jim Brough was also the grandfather of the organist and composer Michael Brough (b. 1960), present organ curator at Holy Trinity Sloane Street.