David Myers (rugby league)

David Myers (31 July 1971 – 20 October 2008) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played as a reserve at representative level for Great Britain in non-Test matches on the 1992 tour of Papua New Guinea, Australia, and New Zealand, and at club level for Widnes (two spells), Warrington, Wigan, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, Bradford Bulls, Western Suburbs Magpies and Salford City Reds, as a wing.[2]

David Myers
Personal information
Born(1971-07-31)31 July 1971
Widnes, Cheshire, England
Died20 October 2008(2008-10-20) (aged 37)
Cheshire, England
Playing information
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight15 st 10 lb (100 kg)
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1989 Widnes 8 3 0 0 12
1989–90 Warrington 6 0 0 0 0
1990–92 Wigan 69 38 0 0 152
1991 Manly Sea Eagles 4 1 0 0 4
1992–94 Widnes 61 21 0 0 84
1994–95 Bradford Northern 28 12 0 0 48
1995 Western Suburbs 1 0 0 0 0
1995–96 Salford Reds 7 0 0 0 0
1997 Widnes Vikings 16 2 0 0 8
Total 200 77 0 0 308
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1991–92 Great Britain U21 5 10 0 0 40
1991 Lancashire 1 1 0 0 4
Source: [1][2][3]

Background

David Myers was born in Widnes, Cheshire, England on 31 July 1971. He played junior rugby league for Blackbrook before turning professional, joining Widnes in August 1988.[4]

Playing career

Early career

Myers made his senior debut for Widnes in February 1989, scoring a hat trick against Oldham.[5] He made eight appearances for the club during the 1988–89 season.

In August 1989, Myers was the subject of a contract dispute between Widnes and Warrington, with both clubs claiming they had signed the player.[6] The Rugby Football League ruled in favour of Warrington,[7] with an independent tribunal setting the transfer fee at an initial £35,000, potentially rising to £80,000 depending on future appearances.[8] Myers made six appearances for Warrington during the 1989–90 season, but was transfer listed in February 1990 after failing to impress at the club.[9]

Wigan

Myers joined Wigan, scoring a try on his debut against Sheffield Eagles in September 1990.[10] He played and scored in Wigan's 13–8 victory over St Helens in the 1991 Challenge Cup Final during the 1990–91 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 27 April 1991, and played right wing when Joe Lydon missed the game due to injury, and scored a try in the defending champions Wigan's 21-4 victory over the visiting Penrith Panthers in the 1991 World Club Challenge during the 1991–92 season at Anfield, Liverpool on Wednesday 2 October 1991, Shaun Edwards intercepting in his own half and giving the ball to Myers a few yards from the try line. Myers had been picked ahead of Mark Preston by coach John Monie, but ended scoring only half the amount of tries Preston had.

Following the arrival of Martin Offiah, Myers was dropped at Wigan, but was nevertheless selected during the 1992 Great Britain Lions tour of Australia and New Zealand as a replacement for injured players but failed to play in any significant games.[11]

Later career

In October 1992, Myers was sold to Widnes in an exchange deal which saw Paul Atcheson join Wigan from Widnes.[12] He continued by losing in the Challenge Cup with his new team, Myers played on the wing, in Widnes' 14-20 defeat by Wigan in the 1993 Challenge Cup Final during the 1992–93 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1993.

In 1994, Myers was signed by Bradford Northern for an undisclosed fee.[13]

Myers switched codes to rugby union later in his career, representing Widnes RUFC.[14] He eventually moved into coaching, and was the assistant coach at Bowdon Rugby Club at the time of his death.[15]

Death

Myers died aged 37 in a car accident on the M6 motorway in Sandbach, Cheshire, England.[16][17] It was confirmed in a coroner's report that Myers was using steroids and amphetamines whilst driving, and died of a heart attack, although the report also concluded that the two drugs had contributed to this.[18]

References
  1. RL Record Keepers' Club
  2. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. "Player Summary: David Myers". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 5 August 2023.
  4. Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David, eds. (1989). Rothmans Rugby League yearbook 1989-90. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 384. ISBN 978-0-356-17850-9.
  5. "Davies is the boyo". The Guardian. 6 February 1989. p. 15 – via ProQuest.
  6. "Hornets step up chase". The Guardian. 17 August 1989. p. 18. ProQuest 187003289 – via ProQuest.
  7. "Plenty of middle ground on Myers deal". The Guardian. 13 October 1989. p. 20. ProQuest 186946810 – via ProQuest.
  8. "Leeds told to pay more for Divorty". The Guardian. 26 October 1989. p. 16. ProQuest 186972829 – via ProQuest.
  9. "Skerrett sent off as Northern break down". The Guardian. 1 February 1990. p. 13 – via ProQuest.
  10. "David Myers". www.cherryandwhite.co.uk. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  11. "New chance for Myers and McNamara". The Guardian. 19 June 1992. p. 19. ProQuest 187391787 – via ProQuest.
  12. "Widnes trade Atcheson for Myers". The Guardian. 8 October 1992. p. 17. ProQuest 187293976.
  13. "Rugby League: Myers signs for Bradford Northern". The Independent. 2 July 1994. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  14. "Widnes rugby legend Myers dies in car crash". Runcorn and Widnes World. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  15. "'Robbed of a star'". Manchester Evening News. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
  16. "Rugby league star killed in crash". BBC Sport. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  17. "Myers Dies in Crash Tragedy". Sky Sports. 21 October 2008. Retrieved 22 October 2008.
  18. "Crash rugby star had heart attack". news.bbc.co.uk (BBC News). 7 May 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
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