Albert Fearnley

Albert Fearnley was an English rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, and coached in the 1960s and 1950s. Fearnley started his career at Rochdale Hornets and went on to play for Oldham, Halifax, Featherstone Rovers and Batley, as. After retiring as a player, he coached at club level for Halifax, Bradford Northern, Batley, and Blackpool Borough.

Background

Fearnley played at in Halifax's 4–8 defeat by Warrington in the 1954 [Challenge Cup] Final replay during the 1953–54 [Northern Rugby Football League season#Challenge Cup|1953–54 season] at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 May 1954, in front of a record crowd of 102,575 or more.

Fearnley was the coach in Halifax's 15–7 victory over St. Helens in the 1964–65 [Rugby Football League Championship|1964–65] Rugby [Football League Championship First Division|Championship] Final during the 1964–65 Northern Rugby [Football League season#Play-offs|1964–65 season] at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 22 May 1965.
Fearnley joined Bradford Northern as a developments officer in 1966, and worked in several different roles at the club over the next decade. He replaced Gus Risman as coach in 1967, but relinquished his coaching duties in 1969 due to increased responsibilities in his administrative role at the club.
Fearnley was the coach of Batley from June 1977 to October 1977.

Fearnley had two sons and one daughter. His elder son, Stan, played for Bradford Northern while Albert was general manager at the club, and also went on to play for Leeds. His other son, Gordon, was a professional footballer who played for Sheffield Wednesday, Bristol Rovers and Fort Lauderdale [Strikers (1977–83)|Fort Lauderdale Strikers].