Jack Dempsey (rugby league)

John Wilson 'Jack' Dempsey (1907-1951) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s.

Jack Dempsey
Personal information
Full nameJohn Wilson Dempsey
Born(1907-05-24)24 May 1907
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, Australia
Died21 July 1951(1951-07-21) (aged 44)
Moore Park, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionHalfback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1929 St. George 13 0 0 0 0
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1928 New South Wales 4 1 3 0 12
1928 NSW Country 2 2 4 0 14
Source: [1]

Career

Regarded by many as one of the best halfbacks that came from the Newcastle area, Jack 'Inky' Dempsey came to Sydney for one season and played for St. George in 1929. He later captain/coached many country teams including Moree, New South Wales. He represented Newcastle against touring English teams on three occasions 1928, 1932 and 1936. 'Inky' Dempsey retired from playing in 1937 at Kurri Kurri, New South Wales. [2]

Tragic death

Jack 'Inky' Dempsey collapsed and died in a wild brawl on the hill at the Sydney Cricket Ground during a Test Match between Australia v France on 21 July 1951. His lifeless body was carried down from the 'Hill' and placed on a stretcher on the SCG pitch in view of all 67,000 spectators. [3] [4] He left a wife and three children, and was buried at Sandgate Cemetery on 24 July 1951. [5] [6]

References
  1. "Jack Dempsey - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  2. Encyclopedia Of Rugby League Players by Whiticker/Hudson. 1993 Edition (ISBN 1875169571)
  3. THE CESSNOCK EAGLE "Obituary 'Inky' Dempsey" https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/99735122?searchTerm=%22john%20dempsey%22&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales%7C%7C%7Cl-decade=195%7C%7C%7Cl-year=1951
  4. THE SUN (SYDNEY) "Man Dies At Test" 22/7/1951 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230230616?searchTerm=%22john%20dempsey%22&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales%7C%7C%7Cl-decade=195%7C%7C%7Cl-year=1951
  5. NEWCASTLE HERALD - Funeral Notice: 24 July 1951
  6. NEWCASTLE MORNING HERALD 24/7/1951 'Funeral today for Mr. J. Dempsey" https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/134059229?searchTerm=inky%20dempsey&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales%7C%7C%7Cl-decade=195%7C%7C%7Cl-year=1951
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