Derek Turner
Encyclopedia
Derek "Rocky" Turner (born 1933) is an English
former professional Rugby League World Cup
winning footballer of the 1940s, '50s and 60s, and coach of the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, who at representative level has played for Great Britain
, England
, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hull Kingston Rovers
, Oldham
and Wakefield Trinity
, with whom he won three Challenge Cup
finals, playing at , i.e. number 11 or 12, or usually , i.e. number 13.
Rocky played his first match for Oldham against Hunslet
on 3 September 1955. Rocky was instrumental in Oldham's success in the Rugby Football League Championship of 1956-57, the Lancashire Cup finals of 1955-56, 1956-57 & 1957-58, and the Lancashire League
of 1956-57 & 1957-58. Whilst at Oldham, Rocky won 11 of his 24 Great Britain caps
, winning the Ashes in 1956. In March 1959, Rocky was transferred from Oldham to Wakefield Trinity for £8,000 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £338,000 in 2009).
At Wakefield Trinity, Rocky's leadership qualities instantly recognised, and Rocky captained Wakefield Trinity to victory in three Challenge Cup
finals.
The Challenge Cup Final of 1959–60 presented by HM The Queen
, The Challenge Cup Final of 1961-62 presented by Field Marshal Montgomery
, The Challenge Cup Final of 1962-63 presented by Field Marshal Alexander
.
Rocky also captained Wakefield Trinity to victory the Yorkshire Cup finals of 1960-61, 1961-62 & 1964-65, and the Yorkshire League
of 1958-59, 1959–60, 1961-62 & 1962-63.
Whilst at Wakefield Trinity, Rocky won the remaining 13 of his 24 Great Britain caps, winning the World Cup in 1960 and The Ashes in 1959 & 1962, he also won his sole England cap.
Alongside fellow Oldham player(s), Alan Davies
, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in Australia's 1956 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain, Rocky was rested for the first Test
which Great Britain won 21-10 at Central Park
, Wigan. Rocky played in the second match which Australia won 9-22 at Odsal
, Bradford. Rocky played in the third Test as Great Britain defeated Australia 19-0 at Station Road, Swinton, to take the Ashes series 2-1.
Just prior to the 1957 World Cup, Rocky played in all three of Great Britain's matches against France
, alternating between venues in Great Britain and France. Great Britain won two and drew one of the fixtures: 45-12 Headingley, Leeds; 19-19 Stade Municipal, Toulouse; 29-14 Knowsley Road
, St Helens.
Alongside fellow Oldham players, Alan Davies
and Sidney "Sid" Little
, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in the 1957 Rugby League World Cup
in Australia. Rocky played in the 23-5 victory over France at Sydney Cricket Ground
, Sydney, the 6-31 defeat to Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, and the 29-21 defeat to New Zealand
at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Australia ran out comfortable World Champions, with victories over New Zealand, Great Britain and France. Despite suffering a heavier defeat to Australia than either New Zealand or France, Great Britain's heavy victory over France in the opening match, France's narrow victory over New Zealand, and Great Britain's narrow defeat to New Zealand in the final match secured Great Britain second place overall. Great Britain had the luxury of playing all their matches at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, whereas New Zealand and France had to play at both The Gabba, Brisbane and Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, which are 575 miles apart.
Just after to the 1957 World Cup, Rocky played in both of Great Britain's matches against France, alternating between venues in Great Britain and France. Great Britain won both tests; 14-25 at Stade Municipal, Toulouse; 44-15 at Central Park, Wigan.
In 1958, Rocky played for Great Britain in the 23-9 Defeat to France at Stade Lesdiguières
Stade Municipal
?, Grenoble
.
Alongside fellow Oldham players, Alan Davies
and / Frank Pitchford
, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in 1958 tour of Australia, but had to withdraw because of an injury.
Alongside fellow Wakefield player(s), Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in Australia's 1959 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain, Rocky played in first of the three matches. Australia won the first Test 22-15 at Station Road, Swinton. Rocky was rested for the second and third of the three matches, Great Britain won the second 11-10 at Headingley, Leeds. Great Britain won the third 18-12 at Central Park, Wigan to take The Ashes series 2-1.
Just prior to the 1960 World Cup, Rocky played in all three of Great Britain's matches against France, alternating between venues in France and Great Britain. Great Britain won one, drew one and lost one of the fixtures: France won 20-18 at Stade Municipal, Toulouse. On 65 minutes a colossal brawl erupted when Georges Fages kicked Rocky on the chin following Rocky’s tackle on Fages. When the dust settled Rocky was ordered off, but five minutes elapsed before he was finally escorted from the field by Bill Fallowfield
, secretary of the Rugby Football League
. The British players waited for Fages to go, but in vain. There was 17-17 draw at Knowsley Road, St Helens; Great Britain won 21-10 at Stade André Moga
, Bordeaux.
Alongside fellow Wakefield Trinity player Jack Wilkinson
, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in the 1960 Rugby League World Cup
in Great Britain. Rocky played in the 23-8 victory over New Zealand at Odsal, Bradford, rested on Saturday 1 October 1960 for the 33-7 victory over France at Station Road, Swinton, Rocky returned for the last match of the series against Australia at Odsal, Bradford. The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was run on a league basis, but with both Great Britain and Australia undefeated, the last match became a virtual World Cup Final. Great Britain become World Champions with the 10-3 victory over Australia at Odsal, Bradford.
In 1961, Rocky played for Great Britain in the 27-8 victory over France at Knowsley Road, St Helens. Unusually, Rocky played as a , with Vince Karalius
playing Loose Forward.
Alongside fellow Wakefield player(s), Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in New Zealand's 1961 Tour of Great Britain, Rocky played in the first of the three matches, the 11-29 defeat to New Zealand at Headingley, Leeds.
In 1962 Rocky played his sole England
international against France, an 18-6 victory at Headingley, Leeds. This was also England's sole international between 10 May 1956 and 7 November 1968. Great Britain being the primary incarnation of international representation during this period, a period that matched Rocky's prominence.
Alongside fellow Wakefield Trinity players, Neil Fox
, Harold Poynton
, Gerry Round and Jack Wilkinson, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in 1962 tour of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
. This Great Britain team would be the nearest to achieving a 3-0 Ashes whitewash
of the Kangaroos on Australian turf to date.
In Australia, Rocky scored a try
in the 31-12 victory in the first test at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, rested for the 17-10 victory in the second test in The Gabba, Brisbane (Attendance 34,786), Rocky returned for the third test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In the third Test of the 1962 Ashes series, Australia's Dud Beattie
suffered a broken collarbone, and knowing he would have to leave the field anyway (Substitutions not being permitted until 1964), Beattie ignited a fight with Rocky, it resulted in the referee sending both players from the field. As Beattie was being half-carried from the arena by an ambulance man, Rocky prodded and remonstrated with Beattie for his actions. A controversial last-minute Ken Irvine
try against the weakened defence, Mick Sullivan
having already been sent off, and the subsequent touchline goal resulted in a 17-18 defeat, although a Whitewash
was denied, Great Britain won the Ashes series 2-1.
After the Australia Ashes Tests, With Eric Ashton
(Captain), Alex Murphy
and Don Fox
injured, Rocky took over the captaincy for the two tests in New Zealand. However, these and other injuries depleted the squad to such an extent that both tests in Carlaw Park
, Auckland were lost 0-19 and 8-27.
After the New Zealand Tests, only fourteen players from the original squad of twenty-five were uninjured, thirteen of whom went on to play three exhibition matches in South Africa. Despite being top try scorer, with 22 tries in the tests, Billy Boston
could not be considered for selection purely due to the colour of his skin, as this wasapartheid-era South Africa. Consequently, coach Colin Hutton became a stand-in substitute. The squad for the South African exhibition matches was; Eric Fraser
(Warrington
); Ike Southward
(Workington Town
), Peter Small
(Castleford
), Neil Fox
(Wakefield Trinity
), Mick Sullivan
(St Helens); Dave Bolton
(Wigan
), Harold Poynton
(Wakefield Trinity
); Jack Wilkinson
(Wakefield Trinity
), John Shaw
(Halifax
), Ken Noble (Huddersfield
), Laurie Gilfedder
(Warrington
), Dick Huddart
(St Helens), Derek Turner (Wakefield Trinity
); Substitute: Colin Hutton (Hull Kingston Rovers
).
In 1962, Rocky played his final match for Great Britain in the 17-12 Defeat to France at Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan.
at Wheldon Road
from ? until ?, and is regarded as the best Castleford Coach of all time.
Rocky was Head Coach for Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue
from July 1983 until February 1984.
. The film's director, Lindsay Anderson
, instructed Rocky to make a scene where the main character Frank Machin loses seven teeth, following a scrum, look realistic. Richard Harris
who was playing Frank Machin was knocked out and filming for the day was abandoned.
was asked to name the six 'hardest' men ever to play Rugby League, he named Rocky along with; Vince Karalius
, Barrie McDermott
, Ray Price, Gorden Tallis
& Cliff Watson
.
According to Lion Phil Jackson "Vince Karalius was much lauded here as one of the best locks to come [to Australia] and I reckon Derek Turner were [sic
] a better player".
near Wakefield
.
Derek "Rocky" Turner, came to Oldham from Hull K.R., playing his first match against Hunslet on 3 September 1955. A loose forward of immense power and fearless determination, Derek was seen by many as the last piece required to complete the puzzle that became the great team of the 1950s.
A born leader, with never a backward step, Rocky demonstrated a terrific work rate on both attack and defence, giving everything in the eighty minutes while inspiring others to do the same and was always a thorn in the side of the opposition. Although it is interesting to note that Rocky was never captain while at Watersheddings.
An integral part of the mid to late 1950s success of Oldham, his big regret was that the club never reached Wembley. Still history remembers Derek as one of the great Wembley captains after Rocky led Wakefield Trinity to success at the famous London stadium in 1960-62-63.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former professional Rugby League World Cup
Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup is an international rugby league competition contested by members of the Rugby League International Federation . It has been held nearly once every 4 years on average since its inaugural tournament in France in 1954...
winning footballer of the 1940s, '50s and 60s, and coach of the 1960s, '70s, and '80s, who at representative level has played for Great Britain
Great Britain national rugby league team
The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions"....
, England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
, Oldham
Oldham Roughyeds
Oldham Roughyeds is an English professional rugby league club based in Oldham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Championship One. Oldham is one of the original twenty-two rugby clubs that formed the Northern Rugby Football Union in 1895....
and Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
, with whom he won three Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
finals, playing at , i.e. number 11 or 12, or usually , i.e. number 13.
Club career
After playing with Ossett RUFC, Rocky began his professional rugby league career at Hull Kingston Rovers. In 1955, Rocky was transferred from Hull Kingston Rovers to Oldham for £2,750 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £142,000 in 2009).Rocky played his first match for Oldham against Hunslet
Hunslet Hawks
Hunslet Hawks is a professional rugby league club based in Hunslet, West Yorkshire, England. The club, sometimes known as 'the Parksiders' after their former stadium, are currently champions of Championship One.-History:-Early years:...
on 3 September 1955. Rocky was instrumental in Oldham's success in the Rugby Football League Championship of 1956-57, the Lancashire Cup finals of 1955-56, 1956-57 & 1957-58, and the Lancashire League
Rugby league county leagues
The Yorkshire League and the Lancashire League formed two sections of the Rugby Football League Championship for much of its history. Initially, the 22 clubs that broke away in 1895 played in one combined league, however the following season saw the addition of many clubs, and the League was split...
of 1956-57 & 1957-58. Whilst at Oldham, Rocky won 11 of his 24 Great Britain caps
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, winning the Ashes in 1956. In March 1959, Rocky was transferred from Oldham to Wakefield Trinity for £8,000 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £338,000 in 2009).
At Wakefield Trinity, Rocky's leadership qualities instantly recognised, and Rocky captained Wakefield Trinity to victory in three Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
finals.
The Challenge Cup Final of 1959–60 presented by HM The Queen
Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom
Elizabeth II is the constitutional monarch of 16 sovereign states known as the Commonwealth realms: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, Grenada, Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Tuvalu, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Belize,...
, The Challenge Cup Final of 1961-62 presented by Field Marshal Montgomery
Bernard Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein
Field Marshal Bernard Law Montgomery, 1st Viscount Montgomery of Alamein, KG, GCB, DSO, PC , nicknamed "Monty" and the "Spartan General" was a British Army officer. He saw action in the First World War, when he was seriously wounded, and during the Second World War he commanded the 8th Army from...
, The Challenge Cup Final of 1962-63 presented by Field Marshal Alexander
Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis
Field Marshal Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis was a British military commander and field marshal of Anglo-Irish descent who served with distinction in both world wars and, afterwards, as Governor General of Canada, the 17th since Canadian...
.
Rocky also captained Wakefield Trinity to victory the Yorkshire Cup finals of 1960-61, 1961-62 & 1964-65, and the Yorkshire League
Rugby league county leagues
The Yorkshire League and the Lancashire League formed two sections of the Rugby Football League Championship for much of its history. Initially, the 22 clubs that broke away in 1895 played in one combined league, however the following season saw the addition of many clubs, and the League was split...
of 1958-59, 1959–60, 1961-62 & 1962-63.
Whilst at Wakefield Trinity, Rocky won the remaining 13 of his 24 Great Britain caps, winning the World Cup in 1960 and The Ashes in 1959 & 1962, he also won his sole England cap.
Representative career
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Rocky played for Yorkshire against Lancashire in ten Rugby League War of the Roses matches, scoring two tries.Alongside fellow Oldham player(s), Alan Davies
Alan Davies (rugby league)
Alan Davies was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Oldham, Wigan, Wakefield Trinity, and Salford, playing at , or /, i.e...
, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in Australia's 1956 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain, Rocky was rested for the first Test
Test match (rugby league)
A Test match in rugby league football is a representative match between teams representing members of the Rugby League International Federation.The definition of a Test match differs from that of an international match...
which Great Britain won 21-10 at Central Park
Central Park (Wigan)
Central Park was a rugby league stadium in Wigan, England. It was the home of Wigan RLFC before the club moved to the JJB Stadium in 1999. Its final capacity was 18,000.-History:...
, Wigan. Rocky played in the second match which Australia won 9-22 at Odsal
Odsal Stadium
Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal, Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls/Bradford Northern since 1934...
, Bradford. Rocky played in the third Test as Great Britain defeated Australia 19-0 at Station Road, Swinton, to take the Ashes series 2-1.
Just prior to the 1957 World Cup, Rocky played in all three of Great Britain's matches against France
France national rugby league team
The France national rugby league team represent France in international rugby league tournaments. They are also sometimes referred to as "Les Tricolores" or more commonly "Les Chanticleers"...
, alternating between venues in Great Britain and France. Great Britain won two and drew one of the fixtures: 45-12 Headingley, Leeds; 19-19 Stade Municipal, Toulouse; 29-14 Knowsley Road
Knowsley Road
Knowsley Road was a stadium located in Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside. It was the home of St Helens RLFC from 1890 until its closure in 2010. St Helens Town FC played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road from 2002 until 2010. For a period, the venue also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves...
, St Helens.
Alongside fellow Oldham players, Alan Davies
Alan Davies (rugby league)
Alan Davies was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Oldham, Wigan, Wakefield Trinity, and Salford, playing at , or /, i.e...
and Sidney "Sid" Little
Sidney Little (rugby league)
Sidney "Sid" D. Little OBE is an English former rugby union and professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s who at representative level has played rugby union for Cumberland, and at club level for Harlequin F.C., playing at Prop, i.e...
, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in the 1957 Rugby League World Cup
1957 Rugby League World Cup
The second Rugby League World Cup was held in Australia in 1957. As before a group stage was held first, with matches being held at locations in Sydney and Brisbane....
in Australia. Rocky played in the 23-5 victory over France at Sydney Cricket Ground
Sydney Cricket Ground
The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian...
, Sydney, the 6-31 defeat to Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, and the 29-21 defeat to New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. Australia ran out comfortable World Champions, with victories over New Zealand, Great Britain and France. Despite suffering a heavier defeat to Australia than either New Zealand or France, Great Britain's heavy victory over France in the opening match, France's narrow victory over New Zealand, and Great Britain's narrow defeat to New Zealand in the final match secured Great Britain second place overall. Great Britain had the luxury of playing all their matches at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, whereas New Zealand and France had to play at both The Gabba, Brisbane and Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, which are 575 miles apart.
Just after to the 1957 World Cup, Rocky played in both of Great Britain's matches against France, alternating between venues in Great Britain and France. Great Britain won both tests; 14-25 at Stade Municipal, Toulouse; 44-15 at Central Park, Wigan.
In 1958, Rocky played for Great Britain in the 23-9 Defeat to France at Stade Lesdiguières
Stade Lesdiguières
Stade Lesdiguières is a multi-purpose stadium in Grenoble, France. The stadium holds 12,000. It is the home of the FC Grenoble rugby union club....
Stade Municipal
Stade Municipal
Stade Municipal is a generic name for municipally-owned, -constructed, or -operated sport stadia in French-speaking countries.In Benin:* Stade Municipale , in Porto-Novo.In Burkina Faso:...
?, Grenoble
Grenoble
Grenoble is a city in southeastern France, at the foot of the French Alps where the river Drac joins the Isère. Located in the Rhône-Alpes region, Grenoble is the capital of the department of Isère...
.
Alongside fellow Oldham players, Alan Davies
Alan Davies (rugby league)
Alan Davies was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Oldham, Wigan, Wakefield Trinity, and Salford, playing at , or /, i.e...
and / Frank Pitchford
Frank Pitchford
Frank Pitchford is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and England, and at club level for Oldham, and Wigan playing at /, i.e...
, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in 1958 tour of Australia, but had to withdraw because of an injury.
Alongside fellow Wakefield player(s), Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in Australia's 1959 Kangaroo Tour of Great Britain, Rocky played in first of the three matches. Australia won the first Test 22-15 at Station Road, Swinton. Rocky was rested for the second and third of the three matches, Great Britain won the second 11-10 at Headingley, Leeds. Great Britain won the third 18-12 at Central Park, Wigan to take The Ashes series 2-1.
Just prior to the 1960 World Cup, Rocky played in all three of Great Britain's matches against France, alternating between venues in France and Great Britain. Great Britain won one, drew one and lost one of the fixtures: France won 20-18 at Stade Municipal, Toulouse. On 65 minutes a colossal brawl erupted when Georges Fages kicked Rocky on the chin following Rocky’s tackle on Fages. When the dust settled Rocky was ordered off, but five minutes elapsed before he was finally escorted from the field by Bill Fallowfield
Bill Fallowfield
William Fallowfield was a British rugby league football coach and administrator of the mid-20th century.In 1967 it was Fallowfield who devised the limited tackle rule to help improve the flow and speed of rugby league....
, secretary of the Rugby Football League
Rugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
. The British players waited for Fages to go, but in vain. There was 17-17 draw at Knowsley Road, St Helens; Great Britain won 21-10 at Stade André Moga
Stade André Moga
Stade André Moga is a sports stadium in Bègles, France. It hosts the home matches of Union Bordeaux Bègles, a rugby union team who play in the Top 14 competition...
, Bordeaux.
Alongside fellow Wakefield Trinity player Jack Wilkinson
Jack Wilkinson (rugby league)
Jack Wilkinson was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1940s, '50s and '60s, and coach of the 1960s. A classmate of wrestler Shirley Crabtree, he was a Great Britain international , who played at club level for Halifax, Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Northern...
, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in the 1960 Rugby League World Cup
1960 Rugby League World Cup
The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was the third staging of the tournament and the first Rugby league World Cup to be held in Great Britain. The same format as used in 1957 was used, with a group stage leading to a final table....
in Great Britain. Rocky played in the 23-8 victory over New Zealand at Odsal, Bradford, rested on Saturday 1 October 1960 for the 33-7 victory over France at Station Road, Swinton, Rocky returned for the last match of the series against Australia at Odsal, Bradford. The 1960 Rugby League World Cup was run on a league basis, but with both Great Britain and Australia undefeated, the last match became a virtual World Cup Final. Great Britain become World Champions with the 10-3 victory over Australia at Odsal, Bradford.
In 1961, Rocky played for Great Britain in the 27-8 victory over France at Knowsley Road, St Helens. Unusually, Rocky played as a , with Vince Karalius
Vince Karalius
Vincent Peter Patrick Karalius was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning and coach who forged a fearsome reputation both as a strong runner of the ball, and as a devastating tackler.-Club career:...
playing Loose Forward.
Alongside fellow Wakefield player(s), Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in New Zealand's 1961 Tour of Great Britain, Rocky played in the first of the three matches, the 11-29 defeat to New Zealand at Headingley, Leeds.
In 1962 Rocky played his sole England
England national rugby league team
The England national rugby league team represent England in international rugby league football tournaments. The team has now seen a revival, having largely formed from the Great Britain team, who also represented Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The team is run under the auspices of the Rugby Football...
international against France, an 18-6 victory at Headingley, Leeds. This was also England's sole international between 10 May 1956 and 7 November 1968. Great Britain being the primary incarnation of international representation during this period, a period that matched Rocky's prominence.
Alongside fellow Wakefield Trinity players, Neil Fox
Neil Fox (rugby league)
Neil Fox MBE is an English former rugby league footballer and player-coach of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. A goal-kicking , he is one of the most prominent figures in the history of the sport because he holds the all-time points record, scoring 6,220 points during his career...
, Harold Poynton
Harold Poynton
Harold Poynton is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s, '60s and '70s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, playing at , or , i.e. number 6, or 7....
, Gerry Round and Jack Wilkinson, Rocky was selected for the Great Britain squad to play in 1962 tour of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa
South Africa national rugby league team
The South Africa national rugby league team are a growing force in rugby league football, South Africa competes sporadically against other international nations because of their location and their absence from any major international competitions. They are ranked twenty-third in the world...
. This Great Britain team would be the nearest to achieving a 3-0 Ashes whitewash
Whitewash (sport)
A whitewash is an informal term in sport describing a game or series in which the losing person or team fails to score.A whitewash may be in a single game where the loser fails to score any points or goals, or in a series where the loser fails to win a game...
of the Kangaroos on Australian turf to date.
In Australia, Rocky scored a try
Try
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
in the 31-12 victory in the first test at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, rested for the 17-10 victory in the second test in The Gabba, Brisbane (Attendance 34,786), Rocky returned for the third test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. In the third Test of the 1962 Ashes series, Australia's Dud Beattie
Dud Beattie
Dud Beattie is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1950s and 60s. An Australian international and Queensland representative prop forward, he played in Ipswich, Queensland for the Railways club....
suffered a broken collarbone, and knowing he would have to leave the field anyway (Substitutions not being permitted until 1964), Beattie ignited a fight with Rocky, it resulted in the referee sending both players from the field. As Beattie was being half-carried from the arena by an ambulance man, Rocky prodded and remonstrated with Beattie for his actions. A controversial last-minute Ken Irvine
Ken Irvine
Kenneth John Irvine was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. He holds the standing record for the most number of tries in a first-grade career – 212. No other player has yet managed 200 tries in their career, apart from Steve Menzies who has scored 216...
try against the weakened defence, Mick Sullivan
Mick Sullivan
Michael "Mick" Sullivan is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He holds the record for the most appearances for the Great Britain Lions with 46.Sullivan signed with Huddersfield in 1952 as an 18 year-old right winger...
having already been sent off, and the subsequent touchline goal resulted in a 17-18 defeat, although a Whitewash
Whitewash (sport)
A whitewash is an informal term in sport describing a game or series in which the losing person or team fails to score.A whitewash may be in a single game where the loser fails to score any points or goals, or in a series where the loser fails to win a game...
was denied, Great Britain won the Ashes series 2-1.
After the Australia Ashes Tests, With Eric Ashton
Eric Ashton
Eric Ashton MBE was an English professional Rugby League World Cup-winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s and later a coach. He played his whole first grade football career for Wigan along with at times both captaining and coaching them; his position of choice was right centre...
(Captain), Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy
Alex Murphy or Alexander Murphy may refer to:* Alex Murphy one of the top basketball recruits in the class of 2012.* Alex Murphy or Alex J. Murphy, the human name of RoboCop...
and Don Fox
Don Fox
Don Fox was an English rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s for Featherstone Rovers and Wakefield Trinity. He is the brother of Peter and Neil Fox, and together they formed one of the legendary rugby league families...
injured, Rocky took over the captaincy for the two tests in New Zealand. However, these and other injuries depleted the squad to such an extent that both tests in Carlaw Park
Carlaw Park
Carlaw Park was a multi-purpose stadium in Parnell, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand.-History:The stadium's grandstands and terraces were built in 1916, and it became the home of rugby league in Auckland from 1921...
, Auckland were lost 0-19 and 8-27.
After the New Zealand Tests, only fourteen players from the original squad of twenty-five were uninjured, thirteen of whom went on to play three exhibition matches in South Africa. Despite being top try scorer, with 22 tries in the tests, Billy Boston
Billy Boston
William John "Billy" Boston MBE is a former Wales and Great Britain professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer. Boston is a member of the Rugby League Hall of Fame, Welsh Sports Hall of Fame and was, along with Shaun Edwards the first to be voted into the Wigan Hall Of Fame...
could not be considered for selection purely due to the colour of his skin, as this wasapartheid-era South Africa. Consequently, coach Colin Hutton became a stand-in substitute. The squad for the South African exhibition matches was; Eric Fraser
Eric Fraser (rugby league)
Eric G. Fraser is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and at club level for Warrington, playing at , i.e...
(Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
); Ike Southward
Ike Southward
Ike Southward was an English professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s, and coach of the 1960s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and Cumberland, and at club level for Workington Town , and Oldham, playing at , i.e...
(Workington Town
Workington Town
Workington Town is a professional rugby league club playing in Workington in West Cumbria. They play in the Championship 1. Their stadium is called Derwent Park, which they share with Workington Comets, a speedway team....
), Peter Small
Peter Small
Peter E. Small is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s, '60s and '70s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, and Bradford Northern, playing at , i.e...
(Castleford
Castleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
), Neil Fox
Neil Fox (rugby league)
Neil Fox MBE is an English former rugby league footballer and player-coach of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. A goal-kicking , he is one of the most prominent figures in the history of the sport because he holds the all-time points record, scoring 6,220 points during his career...
(Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
), Mick Sullivan
Mick Sullivan
Michael "Mick" Sullivan is an English former professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and 60s. He holds the record for the most appearances for the Great Britain Lions with 46.Sullivan signed with Huddersfield in 1952 as an 18 year-old right winger...
(St Helens); Dave Bolton
Dave Bolton
David "Dave" R. Bolton is an English former rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who later became a coach in the NSWRFL premiership...
(Wigan
Wigan Warriors
Wigan Warriors is an English rugby league club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester. The club's first team squad competes in the engage Super League and the team are the current Challenge Cup holders as of the 27th August 2011....
), Harold Poynton
Harold Poynton
Harold Poynton is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s, '60s and '70s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, playing at , or , i.e. number 6, or 7....
(Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
); Jack Wilkinson
Jack Wilkinson (rugby league)
Jack Wilkinson was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1940s, '50s and '60s, and coach of the 1960s. A classmate of wrestler Shirley Crabtree, he was a Great Britain international , who played at club level for Halifax, Wakefield Trinity and Bradford Northern...
(Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
), John Shaw
John Shaw (rugby league)
S. John 'Joby' Shaw was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level played for Great Britain, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity, and Halifax, playing at , i.e...
(Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
), Ken Noble (Huddersfield
Huddersfield Giants
Huddersfield Giants are a professional rugby league club from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire who play in the European Super League competition. They play their home games at the Galpharm Stadium which is shared with Huddersfield Town F.C....
), Laurie Gilfedder
Laurie Gilfedder
Lawrence "Laurie" 'Gilly' Gilfedder is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1950s and '60s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, and Lancashire, and at club level for Warrington, Wigan, and Leigh, playing at , or , i.e...
(Warrington
Warrington Wolves
Warrington Wolves are a professional rugby league football club based in Warrington, England that competes in Super League. They play at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, having moved there from Wilderspool in 2003....
), Dick Huddart
Dick Huddart
Dick Huddart is an English-Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1950s, '60s and '70s. He played in the for Whitehaven and St. Helens in England, and for the St. George Dragons in Australia...
(St Helens), Derek Turner (Wakefield Trinity
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Wakefield Trinity Wildcats are a professional rugby league club that plays in the European Super League and is based in Wakefield. They achieved promotion in 1999 and have remained in the League since. They are known to their fans as Wakey, Trinity, Wildcats, or historically The Dreadnoughts...
); Substitute: Colin Hutton (Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers
Hull Kingston Rovers or Hull KR is an English professional rugby league football club based in Hull, England. The club formed in 1882 and currently competes in Super League, having won promotion from National League One in 2006...
).
In 1962, Rocky played his final match for Great Britain in the 17-12 Defeat to France at Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan.
Coaching career
Rocky was Head Coach for CastlefordCastleford Tigers
Castleford Tigers are a professional rugby league club based in Castleford in West Yorkshire, England. They participate in the professional European competition Super League. They are sometimes known as 'Cas', 'Cas Tigers', 'Classy Cas' or the 'Black & Amber'...
at Wheldon Road
The Jungle (Wheldon Road)
The Jungle is the former name of Wheldon Road, a stadium in Castleford, West Yorkshire, England. This is the home of the Castleford Tigers rugby league team....
from ? until ?, and is regarded as the best Castleford Coach of all time.
Rocky was Head Coach for Wakefield Trinity at Belle Vue
Belle Vue (Wakefield)
Belle Vue is a rugby league stadium in Wakefield, England. It is the home stadium of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats. It is located beside the A638 Doncaster Road, approximately one mile south of Wakefield City Centre.- Description :Currently, the East stand has a covered stand with seating, with some...
from July 1983 until February 1984.
Film career
Rocky appeared in the 1963 film This Sporting LifeThis Sporting Life
This Sporting Life is a 1963 British film based on a novel of the same name by David Storey which won the 1960 Macmillan Fiction Award. It tells the story of a rugby league footballer, Frank Machin, in Wakefield, a mining area of Yorkshire, whose romantic life is not as successful as his sporting...
. The film's director, Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Anderson
Lindsay Gordon Anderson was an Indian-born, British feature film, theatre and documentary director, film critic, and leading light of the Free Cinema movement and the British New Wave...
, instructed Rocky to make a scene where the main character Frank Machin loses seven teeth, following a scrum, look realistic. Richard Harris
Richard Harris
Richard St John Harris was an Irish actor, singer-songwriter, theatrical producer, film director and writer....
who was playing Frank Machin was knocked out and filming for the day was abandoned.
Peer Accolades
In 2003, BBC Rugby League commentator Ray FrenchRay French
Raymond James French MBE is a former rugby union and rugby league player who achieved the rare honour of representing his country at international level in both codes of the game. French won his four caps for the England national rugby union team in 1961 as a lock forward, playing in all four...
was asked to name the six 'hardest' men ever to play Rugby League, he named Rocky along with; Vince Karalius
Vince Karalius
Vincent Peter Patrick Karalius was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning and coach who forged a fearsome reputation both as a strong runner of the ball, and as a devastating tackler.-Club career:...
, Barrie McDermott
Barrie McDermott
Barrie McDermott is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain international representative , he played his club football at Oldham, Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos , Bramley and Widnes.McDermott later became the Head of Youth Development with...
, Ray Price, Gorden Tallis
Gorden Tallis
Gorden James Tallis is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played from 1992 to 2004. He captained Australia and Queensland as well as the Brisbane Broncos club, with whom he won three premierships and one Clive Churchill Medal...
& Cliff Watson
Cliff Watson
Clifford H. Watson is a former rugby league footballer of the 1960s and '70s. He played for the St. Helens rugby football club in the English Rugby Football League Championship and later the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership in Australia. His position of...
.
According to Lion Phil Jackson "Vince Karalius was much lauded here as one of the best locks to come [to Australia] and I reckon Derek Turner were [sic
Sic
Sic—generally inside square brackets, [sic], and occasionally parentheses, —when added just after a quote or reprinted text, indicates the passage appears exactly as in the original source...
] a better player".
Personal life
For a number of years, Rocky and his son Darren have run a removals business, Derek Turner Ltd, based in OssettOssett
Ossett is a market town within the metropolitan borough of the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. It is located on junction 40 of the M1 motorway, half-way between Dewsbury, to the west, and Wakefield, to the east. In the 2001 census, it was classified as part of the West Yorkshire...
near Wakefield
Wakefield
Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001....
.
Representative Career Whilst At Oldham
| Test No. | Date | Location | Attendance | Tournament | Home | Away | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 97 | 1 December 1956 | Odsal Odsal Stadium Odsal Stadium is a stadium situated in Odsal, Bradford in West Yorkshire, England. The venue is used for rugby league and has been the home ground of Bradford Bulls/Bradford Northern since 1934... , Bradford |
23,334 | Ashes |  United Kingdom Great Britain |
9 (7) |  Australia Australia |
22 (7) | |
| 98 | 15 December 1956 | Station Road, Swinton | 13,515 | Ashes | United Kingdom Great Britain |
19 (8) | Australia Australia |
0 (0) | Rocky Scored 1-Try In This Game |
| 99 | 26 January 1957 | Headingley, Leeds | Test | United Kingdom Great Britain |
45 (10) |  Early Modern France France |
12 (2) | Rocky Scored 2-Tries In This Game | |
| 100 | 3 March 1957 | Stade Municipal, Toulouse | Test | Early Modern France France |
19 (12) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
19 (2) | ||
| 101 | 1957 | Knowsley Road Knowsley Road Knowsley Road was a stadium located in Eccleston, St Helens, Merseyside. It was the home of St Helens RLFC from 1890 until its closure in 2010. St Helens Town FC played their home fixtures at Knowsley Road from 2002 until 2010. For a period, the venue also hosted Liverpool FC Reserves... , St. Helens |
Test | United Kingdom Great Britain |
29 | Early Modern France France |
14 | ||
| 102 | 15 June 1957 | Sydney Cricket Ground Sydney Cricket Ground The Sydney Cricket Ground is a sports stadium in Sydney in Australia. It is used for Australian football, Test cricket, One Day International cricket, some rugby league and rugby union matches and is the home ground for the New South Wales Blues cricket team and the Sydney Swans of the Australian... , Sydney |
World Cup | Early Modern France France |
5 | United Kingdom Great Britain |
23 | ||
| 103 | 17 June 1957 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | World Cup | Australia Australia |
31 (10) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
6 (6) | ||
| 104 | 25 June 1957 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | World Cup | United Kingdom Great Britain |
21 (13) |  New Zealand New Zealand |
29 (15) | ||
| 105 | 3 November 1957 | Stade Municipal, Toulouse | 15,762 | Test | Early Modern France France |
14 (3) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
25 (8) | Rocky Scored 1-Try In This Game |
| 106 | 23 November 1957 | Central Park, Wigan | 19,152 | Test | United Kingdom Great Britain |
44 (21) | Early Modern France France |
15 (<15) | Rocky Scored 1-Try In This Game |
| 107 | 2 March 1958 | Stade Lesdiguières Stade Lesdiguières Stade Lesdiguières is a multi-purpose stadium in Grenoble, France. The stadium holds 12,000. It is the home of the FC Grenoble rugby union club.... , Stade Municipal Stade Municipal Stade Municipal is a generic name for municipally-owned, -constructed, or -operated sport stadia in French-speaking countries.In Benin:* Stade Municipale , in Porto-Novo.In Burkina Faso:... ?, Grenoble |
20,000 | Test | Early Modern France France |
9 (7) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
23 (10) | Rocky Scored 1-Try In this Game |
Representative Career Whilst At Wakefield Trinity
| Test No. | Date | Location | Attendance | Tournament | Home | Away | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 17 October 1959 | Station Road, Swinton | 35,224 | Ashes | United Kingdom Great Britain |
14 (4) | Australia Australia |
22 (12) | Rocky Scored 1-Try In this Game |
| 118 | 6 March 1960 | Stade Municipal, Toulouse | Test | Early Modern France France |
20 (12) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
18 (11) | Rocky Was Sent Off In This Game | |
| 119 | 26 March 1960 | Knowsley Road, St. Helens | Test | United Kingdom Great Britain |
17 (7) | Early Modern France France |
17 (7) | ||
| 120 | Saturday 24 September 1960 | Odsal, Bradford | World Cup | United Kingdom Great Britain |
23 | New Zealand New Zealand |
8 | ||
| 122 | Saturday 8 October 1960 | Odsal, Bradford | World Cup | United Kingdom Great Britain |
10 (10) | Australia Australia |
3 (0) | ||
| 123 | 11 December 1960 | Stade André Moga Stade André Moga Stade André Moga is a sports stadium in Bègles, France. It hosts the home matches of Union Bordeaux Bègles, a rugby union team who play in the Top 14 competition... Stade Municipal Stade Municipal Stade Municipal is a generic name for municipally-owned, -constructed, or -operated sport stadia in French-speaking countries.In Benin:* Stade Municipale , in Porto-Novo.In Burkina Faso:... ?, Bordeaux. |
Test | Early Modern France France |
10 (7) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
21 (5) | ||
| 124 | 25 January 1961 | Knowsley Road, St Helens | Test | United Kingdom Great Britain |
27 (20) | Early Modern France France |
8 (8) | ||
| 125 | 30 August 1961 | Headingley, Leeds | Test | United Kingdom Great Britain |
11 (8) | New Zealand New Zealand |
29 (14) | ||
| 130 | 9 June 1962 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | 70,174 | Ashes | Australia Australia |
12 (7) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
31 (9) | Rocky Scored 1-Try In this Game |
| 132 | 14 July 1962 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | 42,104 | Ashes | Australia Australia |
18 (11) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
17 (12) | Rocky Was Sent Off In This Game |
| 133 | 29 July 1962 | Carlaw Park Carlaw Park Carlaw Park was a multi-purpose stadium in Parnell, a suburb of Auckland, New Zealand.-History:The stadium's grandstands and terraces were built in 1916, and it became the home of rugby league in Auckland from 1921... , Auckland |
14,976 | Test | New Zealand New Zealand |
19 (8) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
0 (0) | |
| 134 | 11 August 1962 | Carlaw Park, Auckland | 16,411 | Test | New Zealand New Zealand |
27 (8) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
8 (0) | |
| 135 | 2 December 1962 | Stade Gilbert Brutus, Perpignan | Test | Early Modern France France |
17 (7) | United Kingdom Great Britain |
12 (2) |
Derek "Rocky" Turner, came to Oldham from Hull K.R., playing his first match against Hunslet on 3 September 1955. A loose forward of immense power and fearless determination, Derek was seen by many as the last piece required to complete the puzzle that became the great team of the 1950s.
A born leader, with never a backward step, Rocky demonstrated a terrific work rate on both attack and defence, giving everything in the eighty minutes while inspiring others to do the same and was always a thorn in the side of the opposition. Although it is interesting to note that Rocky was never captain while at Watersheddings.
An integral part of the mid to late 1950s success of Oldham, his big regret was that the club never reached Wembley. Still history remembers Derek as one of the great Wembley captains after Rocky led Wakefield Trinity to success at the famous London stadium in 1960-62-63.
External links
- Derek Turner Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.com
- Derek Turner International Statistics at englandrl.co.uk
- A .ram (Real Audio Metadata) file of Derek Turner Receiving Challenge Cup from Harold Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis
- Lions tamed by league chiefs
- French lessons
- The Oldham Rugby League Heritage Trust > Hall of Fame
- Shaw Cross Sharks > Hall of Fame
- 50 Greatest Sports Movies: 5 - 2
- On This Day - Aussies avoid a whitewash
- On This Day - South Africans run Lions close
- Rugby League - The Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium
- Fox rules the roost as Wakefield ease past Hull
- Vote for rugby league's greatest ever British XIII
- Challenge Cup Finals 1960-62 on YouTube