Graham Steadman

Graham Steadman (born 8 December 1961) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for York Wasps, Featherstone Rovers, Gold Coast-Tweed Giants and Castleford, as a goal-kicking fullback or stand-off,[1][4][5][6] and coached at club level for the Castleford Tigers.[7][8]

Graham Steadman
Personal information
Born (1961-12-08) 8 December 1961
Knottingley, England
Playing information
PositionFullback, Stand-off
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1982 Huddersfield 1 0 0 0 0
1982–86 York 97 63 253 14 762
1986–89 Featherstone Rovers 95+1 48 76 6 350
1989 Gold Coast 5 1 0 0 4
1989–97 Castleford 209+28 121 174 8 840
Total 436 233 503 28 1956
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1988/89–91 Yorkshire 1+3 2 4 0 16
1990–94 Great Britain 9+1 3 3 0 18
1990–92 GB tour games 5+2 2 4 0 16
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
2001–04 Castleford Tigers 89 36 3 50 40
Source: [1][2][3]

Playing career

Born in Knottingley,[9] Steadman started his career in rugby union, playing for his hometown club Knottingley RUFC. In 1982, he switched to rugby league, and signed for York.[10]

International honours

Graham Steadman won caps for Great Britain while at Castleford in 1990 against France, in 1992 against France, in 1992 in the 1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup against France, in 1992 against Australia (2 matches), in 1992 in the 1989–1992 Rugby League World Cup against Australia, in 1992 against New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1994 against France, and Australia.[1]

County honours

Graham Steadman won a cap for Yorkshire while at Featherstone Rovers; during the 1988–89 season as an interchange/substitute against Lancashire, and he won caps for Yorkshire while at Castleford playing stand-off, and scoring 2-tries, and 4-goals in the 56–12 victory over Lancashire at Wigan's stadium on 20 September 1989, and as a substitute in the 17–12 victory over Lancashire at Leeds' stadium on 18 September 1991.[6]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Graham Steadman played fullback in Castleford's 12–28 defeat by Wigan in the 1991–92 Challenge Cup Final during the 1991–92 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1992, in front of a crowd of 77,386.[11]

County Cup Final appearances

Graham Steadman played at second-row in Castleford's 11–8 victory over Wakefield Trinity in the 1990–91 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1990–91 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Sunday 23 September 1990, and played, and scored two tries and four goals in the 28–6 victory over Bradford Northern in the 1991–92 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1991–92 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Sunday 20 October 1991.

Regal Trophy Final appearances

Graham Steadman played fullback in Castleford's 33–2 victory over Wigan in the 1993–94 Regal Trophy Final during the 1993–94 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 22 January 1994.[12]

World transfer record

Castleford paid a then world transfer record of £170,000[13] for Graham Steadman when he moved from Featherstone Rovers in 1989 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £435,200 in 2013).[14]

Career records

Graham Steadman holds York's "Most points in a season" record with 318-points scored in the 1984–85 season, beating Vic Yorke's 301-points set in the 1957–58 season.[15]

Coaching career

Steadman was made full-time coach of the Castleford Tigers towards the end of 2001 after Stuart Raper left for Wigan. Steadman took the club to the top 6 playoffs in 2002 and then the club finished 8th in 2003. 2004 saw his worst year as coach when the club failed to win any games under Steadman. A lot of people blamed the board for not backing him with money to spend. Poor recruits such as Sean Rudder, Sean Ryan, Paul Newlove and Ryan Sheridan ended Steadman's reign as the Castleford Tigers boss and he was sacked after losing to Wakefield Trinity in a home league game.

Honoured at Castleford

Graham Steadman is a Castleford Hall of Fame Inductee.[16]

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. Fletcher, Raymond; Howes, David (1998). Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook 1998. London: Headline. p. 161. ISBN 978-0-7472-7683-8.
  3. RL Record Keepers' Club
  4. David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000) "Images of Sport - Castleford Rugby League - A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0752418957
  5. "Castleford RLFC A to Z Player List (All Time)". 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. "Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  8. "Coach Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 3 July 2007. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  9. "Steadman weighing up union full-time options". Yorkshire Evening Post. Johnston Press. 2 December 2004. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  10. Martini, Peter (23 March 2014). "Fabulous five inducted into York RL Hall of Fame". York Press. Newsquest (Yorkshire & North East). Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  11. "2nd May 1992: Wigan 28 Castleford 12 (Challenge Cup Final)". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2016. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  12. "Wigan 2 - 33 Castleford". 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  13. "Offiah hails arrival of Fielden". bbc.co.uk. 22 June 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  14. "Measuring Worth - Relative Value of UK Pounds". Measuring Worth. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
  15. "York RL's point-scoring legend Vic Yorke dies, aged 75". yorkpress.co.uk. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
  16. "Hall of Fame at castigers.com". castigers. 31 December 2008. Archived from the original on 6 May 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2009.
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