Russell Pepperell

Who was Russell Pepperell?

George Russell "Russ" Pepperell was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s, 40s and 50s, and coach of the 1950s and 60s. He played at representative level for England, and Cumberland, and at club level for Seaton, and Huddersfield all over the back-line. Pepperell later coached Huddersfield and Keighley before moving to Sydney join the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Pepperell was the middle brother of the rugby league footballers Stanley Pepperell, and Albert Pepperell. He started playing professionally for Huddersfield in 1938.

Pepperell was a Lance Corporal in the British Army during World War II. He was a reserve for Northern Command XIII against a Rugby League XIII at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 21 March 1942.

Pepperell represented Cumberland and also won caps for England while at Huddersfield in 1947 against France, and Wales, in 1948 against Wales, and in 1949 against France.

Pepperell played at stand-off half back in Huddersfield's 2–20 defeat by Wigan in the 1949–50 Rugby Football League Championship final at Maine Road, Manchester on Saturday 13 May 1950. Pepperell's Testimonial match at Huddersfield took place in 1950.