Everyone at Bramley Buffaloes is saddened to learn of the passing of Eddie Mullin.
The oldest surviving Bramley Rugby League player, Eddie was well-loved by all who knew him, and we would like to pass on our sincere condolences to his family and friends at this very difficult time.
Eddie made his debut for Bramley on the left wing in a 22-14 home defeat to Keighley in the Yorkshire Cup, on 6 October 1945.
In his first six appearances in the black and amber of Bramley he played at left wing, full-back, second row and loose forward.
It was at loose forward that he starred in the club’s record-breaking 51-3 victory over Hull Juniors in the Rugby League Challenge Cup at the Barley Mow – a club record that would last until 1974.
In all, he appeared 12 times during his first full season.
His three appearances during the 1946/47 season all resulted in losing pay for Eddie, with defeats at home to Bradford (16-6) and Hull (7-5) and away at York (11-8). However, the Hull match saw him cross for his first Bramley try.
While not appearing in the first team during the 1947/48 campaign, the following season saw Eddie’s name as one of the first on the team sheet as he chalked up 29 appearances, including two at prop forward in the matches at home to Castleford (5-6) and the 28-5 loss at Huddersfield.
Eddie’s other appearances were in the second row or at loose forward.
Highlights of the season were the home victories versus Hull (18-16) and the one for Bramley fans to enjoy and savour – a famous 17-13 win against Leeds.
The season saw Eddie cross the whitewash for tries at home to Barrow (10-6), Keighley (19-4) and at Huddersfield in a thrilling 21-15 defeat.
The 1949/50 season brought him another try, which would be his last for the club, in a 23-9 home defeat to Leigh.
The following season saw Eddie play just twice, first in a 21-0 loss at Barrow and in his final Bramley appearance on December 2 as Bramley lost 15-9 at home to Barrow.
After his first team action finished, Eddie was involved in the coaching setup at Bramley, where he helped prepare young players for their first team careers.
Awarded an MBE in 1993 for services to the defence industry through his involvement with Vickers Engineering, Eddie has more recently been based in a care home in the north-east and was proud to be called Bramley’s oldest surviving player at the grand old age of 98.
Last year, Bramley Buffaloes chairman Martyn Cheney and Bramley Rugby League historian Paul Abraham travelled to Northumberland to meet Eddie.
The club presented him with a celebratory Buffaloes team shirt, a memory book featuring his time at Bramley and his official Bramley RLFC Ex-Players lapel badge.
They spent an enjoyable afternoon chatting to Eddie and his family, as Eddie told of his fond memories of playing and coaching at the club.
Eddie holds a proud place in Bramley’s rugby league history, and we join his loved ones in mourning the loss of a very special man.