Ernie Blake

Ernie Blake was taught to swim by his father before reaching school age, but did not show the same aptitude for the sport as his brother Walter, who won many Yorkshire swimming titles. Although he joined the City of Hull Swimming Club at the age of seven, Ernie did not take to the sport seriously until after leaving school. He joined the Hull water polo team at the age of 17 and held a position in the team for more than 20 years, and was part of the Hull side that won the Yorkshire Championship in the six years leading up to World War II.

Blake made his Yorkshire début in 1930 and against Ireland in 1934, he became the first Hull player to be selected for England. Brother Walter made his international début the following year. After World War II, Ernie was involved in a coaching scheme for junior members of the Hull SC. He was appointed secretary of the Hull and District Amateur Swimming Association in 1950 and was still playing for, and captaining, Yorkshire in the County Championship that year, at the age of 38.