Schoolteacher turned "Rugby League legend" dies

THE president of rugby league side Leeds Rhinos Harry Jepson has died aged 96.

Mr Jepson was best known for his work founding the Super League and the French side of Paris St Germain.

A statement from Leeds Rhinos said the Hunslet-born Harry Jepson OBE had seen a “long, distinguished service” in the sport.

He won a scholarship to Cockburn High School after which he went to work at Leeds City Council’s education department.

Mr Jepson saw active duty during the Second World War in North Africa and Southern Italy.

On returning to England, he trained as a school teacher and went to work at Bewerley Street School under the leadership of Hunslet club chairman Edgar Meeks.

He became involved in secondary school rugby league before being made assistant secretary and then secretary at Hunslet in 1963.

Mr Jepson ended his days in education as deputy head at Clapgate School after 14 years in the sector.

He remained at Hunslet for seven years, joining Leeds in the late 60s as
chairman Jack Myerscough’s right hand man.

He was elected as one of the inaugural members of the Rugby Football League Board of Directors, following his tenure at the newly-instituted Colts League, which took over the strategic running of the sport from the Rugby League Council.

Mr Jepson became football director at Leeds Rhinos in the mid 80s and he chaired the meeting that discussed the introduction of the Super League and was heavily involved in the formation of French club Paris St Germain, who entered the competition on its launch in 1996.

He was President of Leeds and “a noted ambassador for the club and the sport” as Chairman of the Rugby League Conference.

Last month Harry was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Education from Leeds Beckett University, and received a standing ovation from the graduating students at the ceremony.

Rugby Football League chief executive, Nigel Wood said: “Harry Jepson was one of Rugby League’s national treasures.

“He had a lifelong passion for the sport and wonderful and vivid recollection of the great players and deeds of the past. He was a friend to everyone.

“A school teacher by profession, he launched the careers of many players, some of whom went on to be all time greats. He will be remembered fondly by all those he touched.”

Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington said: “Harry had a wonderful life and touched the lives of so many others. He knew people who had been involved in the formation of the game in 1895, and his death coincides with the 121st anniversary of the game he loved so much. He was a Rugby League legend, despite never playing the game and his passing is so sad.”

The club will be planning to pay tribute to Harry at Friday’s game against Salford at Headingley Carnegie. Funeral details are yet to be confirmed.

 

Close