Paul Khan
Encyclopedia
Paul Khan is an Australian former rugby league
footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He was a state representative for both New South Wales
and Queensland
with his first grade club career played with the Cronulla Sharks
.
whose coach Tommy Bishop
recommended him to the Cronulla Sharks
in Sydney where he spent the 1975 season. He had a stint in England with Castleford
in 1976-1977 and returned to Cronulla for the 1978 season and played in that year's Grand Final and the Grand Final Replay. He played further seasons with Cronulla up till the end of 1981 totalling 120 appearances for the club. Khan was a major player in the Sharks' 26-5 smashing of Combined Brisbane in the 1979 Amco Cup
- Cronulla's only piece of major silverware to this date.
The ball-playing Khan returned to Brisbane in 1982 for a season with Brisbane Easts
where he was part of the club's 23-15 Winfield State League Final win over Redcliffe at Lang Park. Ironically, he moved to the John Barber-coached Redcliffe Dolphins
the following season where he ended up playing in a losing BRL Grand Final side (Easts beating Redcliffe 14-6).
He was first selected for NSW in 1978 under the residential criteria. In the single 1981 State of Origin match
played under the new Origin selection criteria he was one of four New South Wales based players called on by Queensland. He played in all three games of the 1982 series.
He is one of the relatively rare number of players to have represented both Queensland and New South Wales and one of the rare foundation Origin representatives whose NSW appearance was bookended by selections for Queensland.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He was a state representative for both New South Wales
New South Wales Rugby League team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
and Queensland
Queensland rugby league team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
with his first grade club career played with the Cronulla Sharks
Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
.
Club & representative career
While playing for Queensland Colts, in 1973 Khan was selected for Queensland in the interstate series against New South Wales. He was graded in 1974 with Brisbane NorthsNorths Devils
The Northern Suburbs Devils, Norths for short, are a rugby league club representing the northern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. The team colours are sky blue, navy blue and gold. They play in the Queensland Wizard Cup, and, through their predecessors, are one of the oldest clubs in...
whose coach Tommy Bishop
Tommy Bishop
Tommy Bishop is an English former rugby league footballer and coach of the 1960s and 70s. He played for St. Helens in the English Rugby Football League Championship and the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
recommended him to the Cronulla Sharks
Cronulla Sharks
The Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks are Australian professional Rugby league team based in Cronulla, in the Sutherland Shire, Southern Sydney, New South Wales...
in Sydney where he spent the 1975 season. He had a stint in England with 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'...
in 1976-1977 and returned to Cronulla for the 1978 season and played in that year's Grand Final and the Grand Final Replay. He played further seasons with Cronulla up till the end of 1981 totalling 120 appearances for the club. Khan was a major player in the Sharks' 26-5 smashing of Combined Brisbane in the 1979 Amco Cup
Amco Cup
The Amco Cup was a mid-week rugby league competition held in Australia between 1974 and 1989. The format was usually a straight knock-out, but various group formats were used between 1979 and 1982...
- Cronulla's only piece of major silverware to this date.
The ball-playing Khan returned to Brisbane in 1982 for a season with Brisbane Easts
Easts Tigers
The Eastern Suburbs Tigers are a rugby league club based at Langlands Park, which is in the suburb of Coorparoo in Brisbane, Australia. They competed in the Brisbane Rugby League from 1934 to 1996. From 1996 they have competed in the Queensland Cup. Their jersey is traditionally an all gold jersey...
where he was part of the club's 23-15 Winfield State League Final win over Redcliffe at Lang Park. Ironically, he moved to the John Barber-coached Redcliffe Dolphins
Redcliffe Dolphins
The Redcliffe Dolphins are a rugby league team from the city of Redcliffe in Queensland, Australia. The Redcliffe Dolphins were founded in 1947, accepted into the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1960, and since 1996 have played in the Queensland Cup....
the following season where he ended up playing in a losing BRL Grand Final side (Easts beating Redcliffe 14-6).
He was first selected for NSW in 1978 under the residential criteria. In the single 1981 State of Origin match
1981 Rugby League State of Origin game
The second ever Australian rugby league State of Origin fixture of 1981 featured a stunning comeback by the Maroons, an all-in-brawl, a 90-metre try by Eric Grothe, Sr...
played under the new Origin selection criteria he was one of four New South Wales based players called on by Queensland. He played in all three games of the 1982 series.
He is one of the relatively rare number of players to have represented both Queensland and New South Wales and one of the rare foundation Origin representatives whose NSW appearance was bookended by selections for Queensland.