Fran Cotton
Encyclopedia
Francis Edward Cotton is a former English
rugby union
prop forward who played for England
and the British Lions
. His clubs included Coventry R.F.C.
and Sale
. After retiring, he remained in rugby administration and founded a clothing company. In July 2007, Cotton returned to his former club Sale as a member of the club's board.
Cotton was born in Wigan
, Lancashire
and went to Loughborough University
to study physical education. Cotton was ahead of his time in terms of physical preparation. It was during these years that cotton would win the Glengarth Sevens
at Davenport Rugby Club ( Stockport Rugby Club
) along with Steve Smith and Clive Rees
.
Cotton made his England debut against Scotland in 1971, and played for them 31 times. He also captained the English team three times.
He represented the Lions on their tours to South Africa in 1974
, New Zealand in 1977
and South Africa in 1980
. He returned home early from the 1980 tour after leaving the field with chest pains in a tour match.
With Steve Smith
he founded the clothing company Cotton Traders
in 1987. In 2008 Cotton Traders was forced to pull out of Burma after an investigation by the Burma Campaign UK uncovered the company was sourcing clothing from Burma. Clothing exports generate significant income for the Burmese dictatorship http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/pm/weblog.php?id=P396.
improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
prop forward who played for England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
and the British Lions
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
. His clubs included Coventry R.F.C.
Coventry R.F.C.
Coventry Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in the city of Coventry, England. The club enjoyed national success during the 1960s and the 1970s, with many of its players playing for their countries....
and Sale
Sale Sharks
Sale Sharks are a professional rugby union club who play in England in the Aviva Premiership.The club is an offshoot of Sale FC, which is based at Heywood Road in Sale, Greater Manchester, but Sharks currently play in Stockport at Edgeley Park, ground sharing with Stockport County F.C.Part of the...
. After retiring, he remained in rugby administration and founded a clothing company. In July 2007, Cotton returned to his former club Sale as a member of the club's board.
Cotton was born in Wigan
Wigan
Wigan is a town in Greater Manchester, England. It stands on the River Douglas, south-west of Bolton, north of Warrington and west-northwest of Manchester. Wigan is the largest settlement in the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan and is its administrative centre. The town of Wigan had a total...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
and went to Loughborough University
Loughborough University
Loughborough University is a research based campus university located in the market town of Loughborough, Leicestershire, in the East Midlands of England...
to study physical education. Cotton was ahead of his time in terms of physical preparation. It was during these years that cotton would win the Glengarth Sevens
Glengarth Sevens
The Glengarth Sevens was an annual 7 a-side rugby union tournament held at Davenport Rugby Club The first Glengarth Sevens was held in 1967 at Headlands Road, home of Davenport Rugby Club...
at Davenport Rugby Club ( Stockport Rugby Club
Stockport R.U.F.C
Stockport Rugby Union Football Club was founded in 1923 as Davenport R.U.F.C, the name changing in 1992. The club play home matches at the Memorial Ground, Headlands Road in Bramhall, Stockport...
) along with Steve Smith and Clive Rees
Clive Rees
Clive Frederick William Rees is a former Welsh rugby union player. He won thirteen caps as left wing for Wales between 1973 and 1983....
.
Cotton made his England debut against Scotland in 1971, and played for them 31 times. He also captained the English team three times.
He represented the Lions on their tours to South Africa in 1974
1974 British Lions tour to South Africa
In 1974 the British Lions toured South Africa, with matches in South West Africa and Rhodesia . The tour was a great success, the Lions winning 21 of their 22 matches and drawing the other. After winning the first three test matches, the Lions drew the final test to preserve their unbeaten record...
, New Zealand in 1977
1977 British Lions tour to New Zealand
In 1977 the British Lions rugby union team toured New Zealand. The Lions played 26 matches, including four internationals against the All Blacks. They lost the series against the All Blacks by three matches to one. The team played as the British Isles in their internationals against the All Blacks...
and South Africa in 1980
1980 British Lions tour to South Africa
In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa . The tour was not a success in terms of international results, the Lions losing the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth...
. He returned home early from the 1980 tour after leaving the field with chest pains in a tour match.
With Steve Smith
Steve Smith (English rugby player)
For other rugby players of the same name see Steve Smith and Steve Smith Stephen James Smith is a former international rugby union player...
he founded the clothing company Cotton Traders
Cotton Traders
Cotton Traders is a British clothing company, specialising in rugby apparel and leisurewear, based in Altrincham, Greater Manchester, England. It was founded in 1987 by former England national rugby union team captains Fran Cotton and Steve Smith....
in 1987. In 2008 Cotton Traders was forced to pull out of Burma after an investigation by the Burma Campaign UK uncovered the company was sourcing clothing from Burma. Clothing exports generate significant income for the Burmese dictatorship http://www.burmacampaign.org.uk/pm/weblog.php?id=P396.
Charitable work
He is an honorary president of the rugby charity Wooden SpoonWooden Spoon Society
Wooden Spoon is a children's charity founded in 1983, when the England rugby team received the Wooden Spoon in the 5 Nations. Spoon is dedicated to helping children and young people who are disadvantaged physically, mentally or socially by using sport as a method of improving lives while...
improving the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in Britain and Ireland.