1908 - 1981 - Schoolboy Rugby International Players

Over the years the towns have produced many players who went on to play at the highest levels, some nine  players had the distinction of playing for their country whilst still at School

1908 - Fred.  Vasey – Galleys Field –played v Wales in Cardiff on 14^th March 1908, 6000 spectators and gate money of 203.13s-7d (admission was 1/6d a head). This was the 5^th meeting of the teams; Wales had won the previous 4 matches 

Along with E H Riding also GFS, he played in a trial at Bath before being selected to the National XV in  the forwards.  The image shown below is of a F. Vasey on a photo of the successful 1910 Galleys Field Old Boys team that carried off the Durham County Third Teams Cup that season.

E. H. Riding later played for West Hartlepool in the centre in the 1920s. There was a 3rd Hartlepool player at the trial held in Bath from which the two lads gained their cap, a Hill of Henry Smiths did not get into the England XV.

1938 – Tom H Parker (1924-1996) – Secondary School –played v Wales. 

On 26^th March, 1938 he played England against Wales at scrumhalf. After war service in the Royal Navy he signed for Ipswich Town F.C.playing 475 games and also Captaining the side. His goal tally totalled 92, playing for the East Anglia club between 1946 and 1957 his only club.

1949 – Brian Colley – Galley’s Field – England v Wales  

1955 – John M. Dee – Henry Smith.- played 15 and 19 Group matches.

1964 – D. Stuart Caswell West Hartlepool Grammar - England in both Internationals

1964 – W. J. (Bill) Dale – West Hartlepool Grammar – England in both Innternationals

1966/7 - Geoff Buttle Henry Smith England 19 Group v Wales, France & Scotland. 

1976  - Paul Burgon - Manor School 16 Group

1979  - S. Gordon C. Orritt - High Tunstall School also 19 Group matches.

Gallery images

• 1908 - Fred Vasey - England v Wales
• 1938 - Tom R Parker - West Hartlepool Secondary School - Wales
• 1949 - Brian Colley - England v Wales
• 1965 - Stuart Caswell and Bill Dale