Jim Jolley

For the Scottish born Canadian Saddler, harnessmaker, and politician, see James Jolley. For the Australian Rules footballer who played in the 1890s, see Jim Jolly.

James "Jim"/"Jimmy" Jolley (c. 1873 – 9 September 1928) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s and 1910s, and coached in the 1900s and 1910s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Warrington, Runcorn RFC and Leigh,^[6][7] as a stand-off, and coached at club level for Leigh, where he was the club's first coach.

James Jolley

Personal information
Full name	James Jolley
Born	c. 1873
Died	9 September 1928 (aged 52)[1] Runcorn, Cheshire, England
Playing information
Position	Stand-off
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1900–03 Warrington 34 1 0 0 3 ≤1908–≥09 Runcorn RFC 1910–≥10 Leigh Total 34 1 0 0 3 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1908–09 England 3 1 2 0 7 1908 Great Britain 3 1 1 0 5
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% c. 1910 Leigh
Source: [2][3][4][5]

International honours

Jim Jolley won caps for England while at Runcorn RFC in 1908 against Wales, and in 1909 against Australia (2 matches),^[3] and won caps for Great Britain while at Runcorn RFC in 1908 against New Zealand (3 matches).^[4]

Only eighteen players have ever scored drop goals for Great Britain, they are; Tommy Bishop (3), Lee Crooks (1), Jonathan Davies (2), Bobbie Goulding (1), Ken Gowers (1), John Gray (1), Neil Holding (1), John Holmes (2), Syd Hynes (3), Jim Jolley (1), Sean Long (1), Roger Millward (1), Steve Nash (1), Harry Pinner (1), Garry Schofield (7), Paul Sculthorpe (2), Jim Sharrock (1), and Tony Smith (1).^[8]

Background

Jim Jolley played for Runcorn^[9] and achieved county honours in 1897 before he made his début for Warrington on Saturday 1 September 1900, he scored his only try for Warrington against Oldham at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, and he played his last match for Warrington on Saturday 25 April 1903.^{[citation needed]}

After retirement he was licensee of the Nelson Hotel in Runcorn town centre. He died in Runcorn Cottage Hospital of "internal troubles" that had bothered him for some time. His wife predeceased him and he left two sons and four daughters.^[10] Five nephews followed him into professional rugby.