Billy Mercer (rugby league)

William Mercer (second ¼ 1906[3] – first ¼ 1965), also known as Bill Mercer, was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s. He played at representative level for England and Lancashire, and at club level for St. Helens (captain), as a wing, centre, second-row or loose forward, i.e. number 2 or 5, 3 or 4, 11 or 12, or 13.[1]

William Mercer
Ogden's Cigarette card featuring William Mercer
Personal information
Full nameWilliam Mercer
Bornsecond ¼ 1906
Prescot district, England
Diedfirst ¼ 1965 (aged 59)
St. Helens district, England
Playing information
PositionWing, Centre, Second-row, Loose forward
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1925–37 St. Helens 311 75 0 0 225
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
29 October 1929–≤37 Lancashire 5
1930 England 1 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2]

Background

Billy Mercer's birth was registered in Prescot district, Lancashire, England, he was a joiner for St. Helens Council, and he died aged 59 in St. Helens district, Lancashire, England.

Playing career

International honours

Billy Mercer won a cap for England while at St. Helens in the 19–35 defeat by Other Nationalities at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Monday 7 April 1930.[2]

County honours

Bill Mercer made his début for Lancashire in the 15–7 victory over Cumberland at Whitehaven on Tuesday 29 October 1929, alongside fellow St. Helens player Alf Ellaby who scored three tries, Mercer had two further victories alongside Alf Ellaby, against Yorkshire and Glamorgan and Monmouthshire as Lancashire won the County Championship.

Championship Final appearances

Bill Mercer played right-centre, i.e. number 3, in St. Helens' 9–5 victory over Huddersfield in the Championship Final during the 1931–32 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 7 May 1932.

County League appearances

Bill Mercer played in St. Helens' victories in the Lancashire County League during the 1929–30 season and 1931–32 season.

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Bill Mercer played left-centre, i.e. number 4, in St. Helens' 3–10 defeat by Widnes in the 1929–30 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 3 May 1930, in front of a crowd of 36,544.

Club career

Bill Mercer made his début for St. Helens in the 15–3 victory over Batley at Knowsley Road on Saturday 26 September 1925, and scored his first try in the 55–6 victory over Bradford Northern at Odsal Stadium on Wednesday 14 April 1926, his last match was the 7–25 defeat by Warrington at Knowsley Road on Saturday 6 November 1937. Bill Mercer did not play in St. Helens' 10–2 victory over Widnes in the 1926 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1926–27 season on Saturday 20 November 1926, George Cotton and Alf Ellaby played as Wings, Alf Frodsham and George Lewis played as Centres, and Les Fairclough played as Stand-off.[4]

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References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. "Profile at saints.org.uk". saints.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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