Ernie Lapham

Ernest Frederick 'Ernie' Lapham (/ˈlæfəm/;) (1901-2000) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s.

Ernie Lapham

Ernie Lapham, 1921
Personal information
Full name	Ernest Frederick Lapham
Born	2 July 1901 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died	19 September 2000 (aged 99) Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia
Playing information
Position	Second-row, Lock
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1921–24 St. George 50 9 0 0 27 1925–28 South Sydney 35 36 1 0 110 1929 St. George 5 2 0 0 6 Total 90 47 1 0 143 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1922–28 New South Wales 13 5 4 0 23 1922–27 Metropolis 3 3 0 0 9 1928 NSW City 1 2 0 0 6
Source: [1]

Playing career

Known as 'Curly', Lapham was born in Sydney on 2 July 1901. Lapham was a St. George junior from Hurstville, New South Wales who became a foundation player with St. George, He played in the club's first ever match against Glebe on 23 April 1921.

Lapham stayed at the St. George club for four seasons between 1921-1924, and then moved to South Sydney during their golden era of 1925-1928. He played 11 games for Souths in the 1925 season as they went undefeated and won the premiership without the need to contest a grand final. Despite being at Souths until the end of 1928, Lapham was not included in the grand final sides of 1926, 1927 and 1928.[2]

He then returned to St. George for his final season in 1929.

Lapham also represented New South Wales on eight occasions between 1926-1928.[3]

Death

Lapham was regarded as the last surviving member of St. George's foundation team when he died in 2000. Lapham died on 19 September 2000, in his 100th year at Redcliffe, Queensland.[4]

References

1. Rugby League Project
2. "South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby League Player Report - Ernie Lapham". www.ssralmanac.com.
3. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995. (ISBN 1875169571)
4. Sydney Morning Herald/Courier Mail: Death Notice 26/09/2000