England v France, 1955. H. Scott, front row right, seated on ground
On the 26th February 1955, Fullback Harry Scott of Manchester Rugby Club became England's 856th capped-player when he pulled on the white shirt to represent his country against France at Twickenham. The pride of Harry's selection was also felt across the city at Eccles Rugby Football Club where Harry had spent his formative years.
Harry was born in Batley on 7th November 1927 and aged 8 moved with his family to Eccles. Following his attendance at Stretford and Salford Royal Technical Colleges he qualified as an engineering draftsman. His father, Bob, played rugby league for Swinton Lions and Cumberland and Harry evidently inherited his athletic ability.
Harry joined his local club Eccles RFC in 1947 whilst home on leave from the RAF. In a match report for Eccles v Bury, October 1948 it wasnoted "the inclusion of Scott at full-back did much to strengthen the side. Scott hardly put a foot wrong at full back, his catching being clean and his defence rock-like." Harry's ability soon attracted attention and in 1951 he joined Manchester Rugby Club, earning his first Lancashire Cap in the same year. He went on to become a stalwart of the county team, representing Lancashire 46 times in 11 years, gaining international recognition playing for North West Counties against New Zealand in 1954 at Manchester City’s Maine Road ground, where his pen portrait in the match programme described him as “an enterprising fullback with safe hands, quick to turn defence into attack”.
In later years, Harry returned back to Eccles, enjoying both the playing and social aspects of the Rugby Union game. He was an active member of EGOR (Evergreens of Rugby), becoming a well-known figure at Lancashire and England matches and in 1987 he was made a Hon. Life Member of Eccles RFC.
Harry passed away in January 2012 aged 85, with his memorial service held at Peel Green crematorium and his ashes spread on the Eccles pitch by his family 4 years later.
As a tribute to his memory, Harry Scott's England Cap has been framed for display in the Eccles RFC clubhouse, and club members are invited to join with members of Harry's family when it is unveiled, after the match this Saturday, 22 October 2022.
Eccles RFC Sept 1949. H. Scott, seated third from right.
Eccles RFC October 1948. H. Scott, seated on the floor on the left. The first year at Gorton Street.
