John McKeown (rugby league)

John J. McKeown (5 February 1926[4] – 5 September 2006), also known by the nicknames of "J.J.", and "Mac", was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Cumberland, and at club level for Whitehaven, as a left-footed toe-end style (rather than round the corner style) goal-kicking fullback.

For other people with the same name, see John McKeown.

John McKeown
Personal information
Full nameJohn J. McKeown
Born5 February 1926
Flimby, England
Died5 September 2006 (aged 80)
Playing information
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1948–61 Whitehaven 417 11 1050 0 2133
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1949–60 Cumberland 15 0 39 0 78
1956 Great Britain 1 0 3 0 6
Source: [1][2][3]

Background

John McKeown's birth was registered in Flimby, Cumberland, England, he died aged 80, his funeral service was held at St Nicholas' Church, Flimby, on Tuesday 19 September 2006, followed by cremation at Distington, Cumbria, England.

Playing career

International honours

John McKeown represented Great Britain while at Whitehaven in 1956 against France (non-Test match).[5]

Along with William "Billy" Banks, Edward "Ted" Cahill, Gordon Haynes, Keith Holliday, William "Billy" Ivison, Robert "Bob" Kelly, George Parsons and Edward "Ted" Slevin, John McKeown's only Great Britain appearance came against France prior to 1957, these matches were not considered as Test matches by the Rugby Football League, and consequently caps were not awarded.[5]

Notable tour matches

John McKeown played fullback, and scored 4-goals in Whitehaven's 14-11 victory over Australia in the 1956–57 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France match at the Recreation Ground, Whitehaven on Saturday 20 October 1956, in front of a crowd of 10,917.[6]

Career records

John McKeown holds Whitehaven's "Most Appearances In Season" record with 42 appearances in the 1956–57 season, "Most Goals In A Season" record with 141 goals scored in the 1956–57 season, "Most Appearances In A Career" record with 417 appearances, "Most Goals In A Career" record with 1,050 goals, and "Most Points In A Career" record with 2133 points.[7]

Honoured at Whitehaven

John McKeown is a Whitehaven Hall Of Fame Inductee, and the clubhouse at the Recreation Ground is named the J.J. McKeown Bar

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. History of Rugby League Volume 66 1960-61 edited by Irvin Saxton page 11
  3. Rugby League Fact Book (1991) by Robert Gate, page 124, published by Guinness Publishing Ltd ISBN 0851129498
  4. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. Edgar, Harry (2007). Rugby League Journal Annual 2008 [Page-110]. Rugby League Journal Publishing. ISBN 0-9548355-3-0
  6. "When Haven beat the Aussies". totalrl.com. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  7. "Whitehaven at greyhoundderby.com". greyhoundderby.com. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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