Briggs never recovered and died early in 1902 at the age of 39. Briggs' sporting career was not limited to cricket. He also played hockey for Manchester. Between 1878 and 1882 he played for Widnes Rugby Football Club, playing the position of fullback (standing at 5 ft 4 ins tall). Many people remarked on his sharp and athletic fielding in cricket and it was probably due to the skills and fitness that he gained during his stint with Widnes. In 1882 a broken arm made him think about retirement from rugby. He carried on playing for Widnes occasionally until 1884 after which time his cricket career blossomed. Briggs competed with Yorkshireman Bobby Peel for the left-arm spinner’s position in the England Test side, and accomplished more fine performances at Test level, notably at Adelaide in 1891/1892 and at The Oval in 1893. There was a much remarked upon contrast between the two. Briggs was chirpy, hard working and much loved. Peel was a dissolute dipsomaniac who eventually left the game after embarrassing himself. CB Fry wrote of Briggs, In June 1899, he had an epileptic seizure. He died on 11 January 1902 in Cheadle Royal Hospital. References Other sources "Johnny Briggs" (1902) by Herbert Turner "Giants of the Game" (1901) by Lyttleton, Ford, Fry, Giffen 1862 births 1902 deaths Cricketers who have taken ten wickets in an innings England Test cricketers English cricketers English cricketers of 1890 to 1918 English rugby union players Gentlemen of England cricketers Gentlemen of the North cricketers Lancashire cricketers Liverpool and District cricketers North v South cricketers Cricketers from Sutton-in-Ashfield Players cricketers Test cricket hat-trick takers Wisden Cricketers of the Year C. I. Thornton's XI cricketers Lord Londesborough's XI cricketers A. E. Stoddart's XI cricketers Rugby union players from Nottinghamshire