Rest in Peace - Harold Ellerby: 1935 - 2025

Hull KR are saddened to learn that Robin #564, Harold Ellerby has passed away.

Harold Ellerby, who died last Thursday, was one of, if not the, oldest of Hull KR’s former players. Ellerby, born in Hull on 23rd November 1935, worked his way up through the Robins' juniors and ‘A’ team, making a try-scoring first team debut at centre in a home defeat by Bradford Northern in the penultimate match of the 1952/53 season.

National Service overseas then intervened, and Ellerby next played in the first team on Boxing Day 1956, and was a regular for the rest of the season. He must have made a good impression, because when captain Arthur Bedford departed during the close season, he was elected as captain for 1957/58.

So, on 17th August 1957, at the age of just 21 years and nine months, Ellerby became the Robins’ youngest appointed captain when he led the side out at Dewsbury for the opening game of the campaign.

He marked the occasion with two tries in Hull KR’s 22-14 win. But at Christmas that year, he was told by new coach Colin Hutton that he did not fit into his plans, and he played his final game for the club on 26th December 1957.

In all, Harold Ellerby, Heritage number 564, played 36 first team games for the Robins, scoring three tries, and he remains the youngest man to be appointed Hull KR captain.

After short spells with Keighley and Doncaster, he returned to amateur rugby in Hull and was a key member of the Ambassador side that won the Yorkshire Cup in five seasons in succession in the 1960s.

A quiet and unassuming character, Ellerby was a docker by trade, and a gentleman to all who knew him. The club sends its sincere condolences to his family.