Quick Facts
Biography
Joe Oliver (born in Maryport) was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s playing at representative level for Great Britain, England, and Cumberland, and at club level for Huddersfield, Batley, Hull (twice), and Hull Kingston Rovers, as a Fullback, or Centre, i.e. number 1, or 3 or 4 and was captain of Hull during the 1930–31, 1933–34, 1934–35, and 1935–36 seasons.
Playing career
Oliver won caps for England while at Batley in 1928 against Wales, and won caps for Great Britain in 1928 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand.
Oliver won further caps for England while at Hull in 1933 against Australia, and in 1936 against Wales, and France, He also represented Cumberland.
Oliver played, was captain, and scored two tries and five conversions in Hull's 21-2 victory over Widnes in the Championship final during the 1935-36 season.
Oliver played, and was captain in Hull's victory in the Yorkshire League during the 1935-36 season.
The Hull F.C club song 'Old Faithful' also comes from Joe Oliver's time at the club. Joe was nicknamed 'The Points Machine' and 'Old Faithful' by the clubs supporters, due to his consistent and prolific scoring rate. In 1933 when Gene Autry released his song about an 'old faithful' horse the fans adopted it for Joe. The song has adapted slightly since that time but can still be accredited to Joe's time at the club.
Oliver set Hull F.C.'s "Most Career Goals" record with 687-conversions, and Hull's "Most Career Points" record with 1842-points scored between 1928-37 & 1943-45.