Rob Purdham
Encyclopedia
Rob Purdham is a retired English professional rugby league
footballer. An England international representative loose forward, he previously played for Whitehaven and Harlequins. Purdham can also operate as a stand-off, as a centre or in the second row. He has even played international football
at stand off. Purdham is the former captain of the England
national team.
in the Northern Ford Premiership.
and an impressive start to the 2002 season with Whitehaven
.
. He represented England A in 2003.
On 20 May 2006, Rob set a new Quins club record by scoring 34 points (2 tries, 13 goals) in Harlequins Rugby League 82-8 defeat of Barrow Raiders
in the Powergen Challenge Cup
. The 13 goals in itself surpassed the previous record of 12 held by Paul Sykes. He announced his retirement from Rugby League at the end of the 2011 season, in order to return home to the family farm in Cumbria
.
coach Paul Cullen
named Rob Purdham as captain in his 20-man training squad for this autumn's Federation Shield
tournament. Purdham lifted the trophy with a 32-14 victory over Tonga
.
In September 2008 he was named in the England training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
, and in October 2008 he was named in the final 24-man England squad.
He has been named in the England
team to face Wales
at the Keepmoat Stadium prior to England's departure for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
.
, who was also a rugby league player for Workington Town
, died on 2 June 2010, south of Whitehaven
, Cumbria
, during a shooting spree
in which a further 12 people were killed. Purdham was given compassionate leave by his club to travel back to Cumbria and has subsequently said that the positive response of the rugby league community has convinced him he was right not to give up his playing career, following the tragedy.
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. An England international representative loose forward, he previously played for Whitehaven and Harlequins. Purdham can also operate as a stand-off, as a centre or in the second row. He has even played international football
Rugby League International Federation
The Rugby League International Federation is the world governing body of rugby league football. It was formed in 1998 in Sydney, Australia. Its purpose is to, "foster, develop, extend, govern and administer the game of Rugby League throughout the world". Its headquarters are in Sydney, Australia,...
at stand off. Purdham is the former captain of the 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...
national team.
Whitehaven
He previously played for WhitehavenWhitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
in the Northern Ford Premiership.
London Broncos
Purdham joined London Broncos in 2002. This followed selection for an England U21 tour of South AfricaSouth 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...
and an impressive start to the 2002 season with Whitehaven
Whitehaven RLFC
Whitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
.
Harlequins
He was appointed captain of Harlequins RL, formerly known as London Broncos, in the European Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
. He represented England A in 2003.
On 20 May 2006, Rob set a new Quins club record by scoring 34 points (2 tries, 13 goals) in Harlequins Rugby League 82-8 defeat of Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders
Barrow Raiders are an English professional rugby league team from Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, who are coached by Dave Clark. Formed in 1875 as Barrow Football Club, the club is the oldest of the current professional sports teams in Cumbria....
in the Powergen 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....
. The 13 goals in itself surpassed the previous record of 12 held by Paul Sykes. He announced his retirement from Rugby League at the end of the 2011 season, in order to return home to the family farm in Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
.
England
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...
coach Paul Cullen
Paul Cullen (rugby league)
Paul Cullen is an English professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the head coach for the Widnes Vikings of the Co-operative Championship. Cullen previously coached the Warrington Wolves as well as the England national team...
named Rob Purdham as captain in his 20-man training squad for this autumn's Federation Shield
Federation Shield
-Standings:-Final:Rob Purdham captained the victorious England side in this tournament, with Matt Diskin as the vice-captain. The Paul Cullen coached side entered the final as favourites following a successful group stage with three wins from three matches....
tournament. Purdham lifted the trophy with a 32-14 victory over Tonga
Tonga national rugby league team
The Tonga national rugby league team is a national sporting side, representing Tonga in rugby league football. Rugby league is a popular sport in Tonga, and the national team has become one of the best performed nations in the world...
.
In September 2008 he was named in the England training squad for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
, and in October 2008 he was named in the final 24-man England squad.
He has been named in the 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...
team to face Wales
Wales national rugby league team
The Wales national rugby league team represent Wales in international rugby league football matches. Currently the team is seventh in the RLIF World Rankings. The team were run under the auspices of the Rugby Football League, but an independent body, Wales Rugby League, now runs the team from...
at the Keepmoat Stadium prior to England's departure for the 2008 Rugby League World Cup
2008 Rugby League World Cup
The 2008 Rugby League World Cup was the thirteenth staging of the Rugby League World Cup since the inauguration of the tournament in 1954, and the first since the 2000 event...
.
Career highlights
- Junior Clubs: Egremont Rangers, WhitehavenWhitehaven RLFCWhitehaven RLFC is a rugby league club playing in Whitehaven in West Cumbria. They play in Co-operative Championship. Their stadium is called the Recreation Ground...
- First Grade Stats: 64 career games to date scoring 16 tries
Personal life
Purdham's brother, GarryGarry Purdham
Garry John Purdham was an English professional rugby league player and farmer. He was killed in the 2010 Cumbria shootings.-Career:...
, who was also a rugby league player for 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....
, died on 2 June 2010, south of Whitehaven
Whitehaven
Whitehaven is a small town and port on the coast of Cumbria, England, which lies equidistant between the county's two largest settlements, Carlisle and Barrow-in-Furness, and is served by the Cumbrian Coast Line and the A595 road...
, Cumbria
Cumbria
Cumbria , is a non-metropolitan county in North West England. The county and Cumbria County Council, its local authority, came into existence in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972. Cumbria's largest settlement and county town is Carlisle. It consists of six districts, and in...
, during a shooting spree
Cumbria shootings
The Cumbria shootings was a killing spree that occurred on 2 June 2010 when a lone gunman, Derrick Bird, killed 12 people and injured 11 others before killing himself in Cumbria, England....
in which a further 12 people were killed. Purdham was given compassionate leave by his club to travel back to Cumbria and has subsequently said that the positive response of the rugby league community has convinced him he was right not to give up his playing career, following the tragedy.