Alf Arnold, who was a guest at the recent home match against Wigan Warriors, passed away on August 29 at the age of 90.
Having joined the club in October 1954, he helped The Wire retain their Championship crown at the end of that season and went on to play 56 times for the club before a serious eye injury forced him into retirement aged just 23.
It is possible Alf could have been the last surviving member of the last Championship winning squad, as records show all but Billy Frost are known to have died – Billy’s whereabouts are unknown to club historians.
In a statement released today, the club said they were “deeply saddened” to learn of Arnold’s passing, which came just 48 hours before a poignant and historic moment for the Arnold family.
Alf’s son Innes and grandchildren Denton and Tolver – all of whom are RFL match officials – were all appointed to the same fixture as they officiated Goole Vikings’ clash with Newcastle Thunder in League One on Sunday.
“My grandfather was so excited and pleased that we had all been appointed together for the game at Goole,” said Denton, who refereed the match with his dad and brother as touch judges and has been a regular touch judge at all levels including Men’s and Women’s Super League since 2019.
“We lost him on Friday afternoon, and that made Sunday very bittersweet for us all.
“We wore black armbands in his memory, and a rainbow appeared halfway through the second half – it felt like he was watching over us.”
Alf Arnold’s grandchildren Denton (left) and Tolver (right) and son Innes (centre) officiated together on Sunday, just 48 hours after Alf’s passing (Image: Darren Greenhalgh/SWpix.com)
The following obituary is courtesy of Neil Dowson…
Alf was born in St Helens on 10th August 1935.
He signed for Warrington aged 19 in October 1954. He was 5ft 6in and 10st 6lb. Alf had spent three seasons playing scrum-half for St Helens RUFC and had been the reserve scrum-half for the Lancashire County Rugby Union side the previous Saturday against Ulster.
At the time of his signing, Alf was employed as an apprentice boilermaker and later did his National Service with the RAF. With him in the RAF team were two of his Warrington team-mates, Jim and Roy Glover (they were not related).
He made his Warrington debut against Bradford Northern at Wilderspool on 23rd October 1954. Warrington won 15-10 with tries from Brian Bevan, Jim Challinor and Gerry Lowe.
Alf made four appearances while Gerry Helme was away winning the World Cup with Great Britain in France. All four matches were won and helped Warrington to retain the Championship.
Alf was very much part of the plans for the future of the team and was included in the club’s week-long, end-of-season tour to France the following May.
The 33-strong group of players and officials flew out from Liverpool to Biarritz, via Jersey, a journey of about 900 miles, on Sunday 13th May 1956.
It was a long day for the players. After assembling at Wilderspool at 5.30am and having breakfast at Liverpool Airport at 6.30am, they had lunch in Jersey at 11.30am before arriving at Biarritz at 12.30pm. They then took a coach to their hotel before playing a match against a combined Bayonne and Bordeaux team in Bayonne, kick-off 4pm. Amazingly, they won 18-6.
On the Wednesday, they travelled to play Toulouse in a floodlit match, kick-off 9pm. This time the hosts won a close contest 10-7.
Two more rest days followed before a game at Albi on the Saturday afternoon, which was lost 36-16, Alf scored two tries.
Alf also scored a try in the fourth and final game of the trip against Villeneuve the following day with Warrington winning 28-9 to end the tour on a high note. The players were paid £10 each for the tour.
His appearances were limited due to two-time Lance Todd winner Helme being the incumbent No.7. When Helme retired in January 1957, Alf was ready and quickly formed what was thought would be a half-back partnership for the future with Jackie Edwards.
Sadly, he suffered a severe eye injury in the first half of an evening kick-off against Liverpool City at Wilderspool on 20th August 1958. He bravely tried to carry on playing but was only able to make five more appearances after that.
His final appearance was against St Helens at Wilderspool on 20th September 1958. Warrington lost 29-15.
Alf retired as a player on medical advice in January 1959, at the aged of 23. His half-back partner Jackie Edwards was also forced to retire through injury at just 24.
It left Warrington fans wondering what might have been if the Arnold-Edwards half-back partnership had been allowed to develop.
The eye injury required two operations at Manchester Eye Hospital. He was provided with special dark glasses fitted with a small aperture so that he could still watch matches.
He also had surgery at an eye hospital in London and had to wear heavy bandages over his eyes for some weeks. Unfortunately, they were unable to save the sight in his right eye.
In November 1959, Warrington received permission to organise a testimonial fund on his behalf. There was a ground collection against St Helens the following March.
Alf Arnold, whose Heritage Number is 559, made 56 appearances for Warrington, scoring ten tries and kicking one goal. He was a popular player who made friends and memories that lasted a lifetime.
He had been an active member of the Players’ Association before poor ill health this year prevented him attending matches and the annual dinner.
He also was very proud of his grandchildren. He could often be found watching matches at which they officiated – Denton has refereed in the Championship this season, Innes and Tolver have been touch judges.
Alf continued to be great friends with Jackie Edwards and his recent passing hit him hard.
Warrington Wolves pass on heartfelt condolences to Alf’s family and friends and are grateful that they brought him to the Wigan match at The Halliwell Jones Stadium one last time just three weeks ago.