John Stopford (rugby league)

John "Johnny" Stopford (23 August 1936 – 21 August 1998) was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s, and coached in the 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Swinton, as a wing. Stopford formed a highly successful wing partnership with his centre, and fellow Great Britain international, Alan Buckley. He coached at representative level for Wellington and at club level for Swinton.

For the British archer who competed at the 1908 Summer Olympics, see John Thomas Sarsfield Stopford. For the British anatomist and academic Lord Stopford, see John Stopford, Baron Stopford of Fallowfield.

John Stopford
Personal information
Full nameJohn Stopford
Born23 August 1936
Wigan district, England
Died21 August 1998(1998-08-21) (aged 61)
Wigan, England
Playing information
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1958–69 Swinton 298 195 1
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1961–66 Great Britain 12 7 0 0 21
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1976–77 Swinton
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
early-1980s Wellington
Source: [1][2]

Background

Stopford was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England, and he died aged 61 in Wigan.

Playing career

International honours

Stopford won caps for Great Britain while at Swinton in 1961 against France, in 1963 against France and Australia (two matches), in 1964 against France (two matches), in 1965 against France, and New Zealand (two matches), and in 1966 against France (two matches), and on the 1966 Great Britain Lions tour against Australia.[1]

Four Swinton players took part in the 1966 Great Britain Lions tour to Australasia, Stopford, Buckley, Ken Gowers (vice-captain) and Dave Robinson.[3]

Career records

Stopford holds Swinton's "Most Tries in a rugby league Season" record, with 42 tries scored during the 1963–64 season. However, Jim Valentine holds Swinton's "Most Tries in a rugby union Season" record, with 48 tries scored during the 1888–89 season.

References
  1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  2. "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
  3. Hadfield, Dave (25 September 1998). "Obituary: John Stopford". The Independent. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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