Val Cumberbatch

Valentine "Val" Cumberbatch (14 February 1911 – January→March 1973 (aged 61-62)) was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s, and 1940s, playing at representative level for England, and Lancashire, and at club level for Barrow, and Liverpool Stanley, as a Wing, i.e. number 2 or 5, his death was registered in Barrow-in-Furness.

International honours

Val Cumberbatch won a cap for England while at Barrow in 1938 against France.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Val Cumberbatch played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2, in Barrow's 4-7 defeat by Salford in the 1938 Challenge Cup Final during the 1937–38 season at Wembley, London on Saturday 7 May 1938.

County Cup Final appearances

Val Cumberbatch played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2, in Barrow's 4-8 defeat by Warrington in the 1937 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1937–38 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 23 October 1937.

Testimonial match

Val Cumberbatch's Testimonial matches at Barrow were shared with Bob Ayres, John Higgin, William Little, and Dan McKeating, and took place against Swinton on Saturday 27 April 1946, and against Oldham on Saturday 27 January 1947.

Career records

Val Cumberbatch is seventh in Barrow's all time try scorers list with 134-tries. Three players jointly hold Barrow's "most tries in a game" record with six tries, they are; Val Cumberbatch against Batley on Saturday 21 November 1936, Jim Thornburrow against Maryport on Saturday 19 February 1938, and Steve Rowan against Nottingham City on Sunday 15 November 1992.

"The local intermediate League produced Val Cumberbatch, now with Liverpool Stanley, having been transferred during the war. Still an entertaining player to watch. A Lancashire County winger. Signed by Barrow in 1932."

Cumberbatch was the son of Theodore Theophilus Cumberbatch (1863/4 – 1931[1]), a ship's steward, originally from Barbados and Mary Ellen née Kewin originally from Ramsey, Isle of Man (Marriage July→September 1889 in Fylde district [2]). Val Cumberbatch's marriage to Mary née Lightfoot was registered during October→December 1937 in Barrow-in-Furness district. They had children; John V. Cumberbatch (birth registered during July→September 1938 in Barrow-in-Furness district), and Barrie Cumberbatch (birth registered during October→December 1942 in Barrow-in-Furness district). Val Cumberbatch was the brother of the rugby league footballer James Cumberbatch.