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Jack Wilkinson (rugby league)
Encyclopedia
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
. He also represented Yorkshire, England
, and Great Britain
.
After retirement from rugby league Jack, together with his wife June, entered the licenced trade and ran West Yorkshire pubs including the Rose & Crown in Greetland, and The Maypole in Warley.
Jack Wilkinson is clearly visible as a rugby player in several scenes of the film This Sporting Life which starred Richard Harris.
while at Halifax in 1953 against Other Nations, in 1955 against Other Nations, and won caps for Great Britain
while at Halifax in 1954 against Australia, and New Zealand (2 matches), in 1955 against New Zealand (3 matches), and while at Wakefield in 1959 against Australia, in 1960 against France (2 matches), New Zealand, France, and Australia, and in 1962 New Zealand.
Jack Wilkinson helped Great Britain to victory in the 1960 Rugby League World Cup
, playing in all three games, and scoring a try in the 33-7 victory over France on Saturday 1 October 1960 at Swinton.
Jack Wilkinson also represented Great Britain
while at Halifax between 1952 and 1956 against France (1 non-Test
match).
, and was selected for Yorkshire County XIII while at Wakefield Trinity
during the 1959/60 season.
’s 4-4 draw with Warrington
in the 1953–54 Challenge Cup
final at Wembley Stadium on 1 May 1954, and the 4-18 defeat in the 1953–54 Challenge Cup
final replay at Odsal Stadium
, Bradford
on 5 May 1954 in front of a 102,569+ crowd, and played Loosehead-, i.e. number 8, in Wakefield Trinity
’s 38-5 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1959–60 Challenge Cup
final at Wembley Stadium on the 14th May 1960, the 12-6 victory over Huddersfield
in the 1961–62 Challenge Cup
final at Wembley Stadium on 12 May 1962, and the 25-10 victory over Wigan
in the 1962–63 Challenge Cup
final at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 1963.
’s 16-10 victory over Huddersfield
in the 1960–61 Yorkshire Cup
final at Headingley Stadium, Leeds
on 29 October 1960.
at Halifax
took place in 1958.
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...
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
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
of the 1960s. A classmate of wrestler Shirley Crabtree
Shirley Crabtree
Shirley Crabtree, Jr, better known as Big Daddy was a British professional wrestler famous for his record-breaking 64 inch chest...
, he was a Great Britain international , who played at club level for 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...
, 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...
and Bradford Northern
Bradford Bulls
Bradford Bulls is a professional rugby league club based in the city of Bradford, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the European Super League and are currently joint 10th in the league....
. He also represented Yorkshire, 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 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"....
.
After retirement from rugby league Jack, together with his wife June, entered the licenced trade and ran West Yorkshire pubs including the Rose & Crown in Greetland, and The Maypole in Warley.
Jack Wilkinson is clearly visible as a rugby player in several scenes of the film This Sporting Life which starred Richard Harris.
International honours
Jack Wilkinson won caps for EnglandEngland 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...
while at Halifax in 1953 against Other Nations, in 1955 against Other Nations, and won caps 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"....
while at Halifax in 1954 against Australia, and New Zealand (2 matches), in 1955 against New Zealand (3 matches), and while at Wakefield in 1959 against Australia, in 1960 against France (2 matches), New Zealand, France, and Australia, and in 1962 New Zealand.
Jack Wilkinson helped Great Britain to victory 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....
, playing in all three games, and scoring a try in the 33-7 victory over France on Saturday 1 October 1960 at Swinton.
Jack Wilkinson also represented 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"....
while at Halifax between 1952 and 1956 against France (1 non-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...
match).
County Honours
Jack Wilkinson was selected for Yorkshire County XIII while at HalifaxHalifax 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...
, and was selected for Yorkshire County XIII while at 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...
during the 1959/60 season.
Challenge Cup final appearances
Jack Wilkinson played Tighthead-, i.e. number 10, in Halifax RLFCHalifax 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...
’s 4-4 draw with 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....
in the 1953–54 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....
final at Wembley Stadium on 1 May 1954, and the 4-18 defeat in the 1953–54 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....
final replay at Odsal Stadium
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
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
on 5 May 1954 in front of a 102,569+ crowd, and played Loosehead-, i.e. number 8, in 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...
’s 38-5 victory over Hull F.C. in the 1959–60 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....
final at Wembley Stadium on the 14th May 1960, the 12-6 victory over 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....
in the 1961–62 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....
final at Wembley Stadium on 12 May 1962, and the 25-10 victory over 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....
in the 1962–63 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....
final at Wembley Stadium on 11 May 1963.
County Cup Final Appearances
Jack Wilkinson played Loosehead-, i.e. number 8, in Wakefield TrinityWakefield 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...
’s 16-10 victory over 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....
in the 1960–61 Yorkshire Cup
Rugby league county cups
Historically, British rugby league clubs competed for the Lancashire Cup and the Yorkshire Cup, known collectively as the county cups. The leading rugby clubs in Yorkshire had played in a cup competition for several years prior to the schism of 1895...
final at Headingley Stadium, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
on 29 October 1960.
Testimonial match
Jack Wilkinson's Testimonial matchTestimonial match
A testimonial match or testimonial game, often referred to simply as a testimonial, is a practice in some sports, notably football and especially in the United Kingdom, where a club puts on a match in honour of a player for service to the club....
at 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...
took place in 1958.