Edmund Szymala (born 24 June 1954), also known by the nickname of "Smiler", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Barrow, as a second-row.[3]
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Edmund Szymala | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 24 June 1954[1] Barrow-in-Furness district, England | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Second-row | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background edit
Eddie Szymala's birth was registered in Barrow-in-Furness, Lancashire.
Playing career edit
Club career edit
Eddie Szymala appeared as a substitute (replacing hooker Howard Allen) in Barrow's 5–12 defeat by Warrington in the 1980–81 John Player Trophy Final during the 1980–81 at Central Park, Wigan, on Saturday 24 January 1981.
Eddie Szymala played right-second-row in Barrow's 12–8 victory over Widnes in the 1983 Lancashire Cup Final during the 1983–84 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 1 October 1983,[5] the entire Barrow team was inducted into the Barrow Hall of Fame in 2003.
Derek Hadley, and Eddie Szymala shared a Testimonial match/Benefit season at Barrow during the 1983–84 Rugby Football League season.[6]
International honours edit
Szymala won a cap for England while at Barrow in 1979 against France (sub), and won caps for Great Britain while at Barrow in 1981 against France (sub), and France.
Honoured at Barrow Raiders edit
David Cairns and Szymala were both inducted into the Barrow Hall of Fame as individuals in 2010, having previously been inducted as part of 1983–84 Lancashire Cup winning team in 2003.[7]
References edit
- ^ Emery, David (1984). Who's Who in Rugby League. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 116. ISBN 978-0-356-10435-5.
- ^ RL Record Keepers' Club
- ^ a b "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
- ^ "Player Summary: Eddie Szymala". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "1983–1984 Lancashire Cup Final". nwemail.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 4 March 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
- ^ "Rugby League Heroes: Eddie Syzmala". Total Rugby League. 7 October 2021. Retrieved 17 August 2023.
- ^ "Cairns and Szymala set for Barrow RL Hall of Fame – again". North-West Evening Mail. 10 November 2010. Archived from the original on 26 February 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
External links edit
- (archived by web.archive.org) Barrow RL's great Britons
- (archived by web.archive.org) Cairns and Szymala set for Barrow RL Hall of Fame – again