Albert Firth

Albert 'Budgie' Firth (birth registered July→September 1937 – 5 January 2015) birth registered in Wakefield district, was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and '60s, playing at representative level for Yorkshire, and at club level for Stanley Rangers, Wakefield Trinity (Heritage #616), York, and Leeds, as a Prop, or Second-row, i.e. number 8 or 10, or, 11 or 12, during the era of contested scrums, he died in Osgodby, Scarborough.

County honours

Albert Firth was selected for Yorkshire County XIII whilst at Wakefield Trinity during the 1959/60 season, and in 1961.

Championship appearances

Albert Firth played Left-Second-row, i.e. number 11 in Wakefield Trinity's 3-27 defeat by Wigan in the Championship final during the 1959–60 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 21 May 1960.

Challenge Cup final appearances

Albert Firth played Left-Second-row, i.e. number 11 in Wakefield Trinity's 38-5 victory over Hull in the 1960 Challenge Cup final during the 1959–60 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 14 May 1960, and played Right-Prop, i.e. number 10, in the 12-6 victory over Huddersfield in the 1962 Challenge Cup final during the 1961–62 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 12 May 1962.

County Cup Final Appearances

Albert Firth played Right-Second-row, i.e. number 12, in Wakefield Trinity's 16-10 victory over Huddersfield in the 1960 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1960–61 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 29 October 1960, and played Left-Prop, i.e. number 10, in the 19-9 victory over Leeds in the 1961 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1961–62 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Saturday 11 November 1961.

"Outlines – Albert Firth – Albert is one of many players on our present register who commenced his career as a member of the Wakefield City Schools' side. Unlike the majority, however he had to seek his Rugby League football at that stage, for his school in Stanley did not play Rugby. Whilst with the Wakefield City Schools' team he gained County honours against Cumberland. In those days he played in the forwards; a number of occasions being at loose forward. Schooldays over, he naturally joined his local team – Stanley Rangers – for whom he made several appearances at centre three-quarter. In whichever position he played, however, his work was so successful that Trinity secured his signature at sixteen years of age. Albert signed for Wakefield in July, 1953 and, after a short period in the "A” team, made his senior début in November, 1953 against Huddersfield here at Belle Vue. There was another appearance in the senior team during that season, but in the following campaign he made his mark and from there he has not looked back. In his first full season of 1954–5, he made thirty appearances and scored 13 tries – his most successful term until this present season. In September he made his County début for Yorkshire against Cumberland at Hull and there are strong hopes that this will form only the first of many similar representative appearances. Still only in his early twenties, with 127 first team appearances (and over forty tries) behind him, he still has much to give Trinity in the important seasons ahead. The continuance of his career and the further fulfilment of much promise will be watched with interest and satisfaction"

He later became a publican at The Angel Inn, and other pubs in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

Albert Firth's marriage to Peggy Geary (birth registered January→March 1934 in Wakefield district – death unknown) was registered during July→September 1957 Wakefield district. They had children; Kim Firth (birth registered during January→March 1958 (age 58–59) in Wakefield district), and Cheryl Firth (birth registered during October→December 1959 (age 57–58) in Wakefield district). Albert Firth was divorced from Peggy (née Geary), and married Carol A. Firth of Scarborough in the circa-1980s. Albert Firth's first wife Peggy was the eldest sister of Molly who married Stanley Smith, and Lily who married Leslie Chamberlain.