David Stephens (rugby)
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| Born | unknown | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Died | 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Position | Wing, Centre | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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David Stephens (1940/41–2023)[1] was a rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Wakefield RFC, and club level rugby league (RL) for Wigan (Heritage No. 636), and Castleford (Heritage No. 514), as a wing, or centre, i.e. number 2 or 5, or 3 or 4.[2][3][4]
Background[edit]
David Stephens was a teacher at Airedale Secondary Modern school, Castleford c. 1970.
Playing career[edit]
Club career[edit]
David Stephens changed rugby football codes from rugby union to rugby league, when he was transferred from Wakefield RFC to Wigan following a dispute regarding his position, he preferred to play at centre, whereas Wakefield RFC preferred him to play on the wing, he made his début for Wigan in the 23–10 victory over Whitehaven at Recreation Ground, Whitehaven on Wednesday 18 August 1965, he scored his first try for Wigan in the 12–17 defeat by New Zealand at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 4 September 1965,[5] he scored his last try (2-tries) for Wigan in the 11–4 victory over Batley at Central Park, Wigan on Wednesday 13 December 1967, and he played his last match for Wigan in the 2–9 defeat by Rochdale Hornets at Athletic Grounds, Rochdale on Friday 22 December 1967.[6]
County Cup Finals[edit]
David Stephens played left wing, i.e. number 5, in Castleford's 11–22 defeat by Leeds in the 1968 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1968–69 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 19 October 1968.
References[edit]
- ^ "Former Castleford, Wigan and multi sports star David Stephens dies, aged 82". Wakefield Express. 3 July 2023. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
- ^ David Smart & Andrew Howard (1 July 2000). "Images of Sport - Castleford Rugby League - A Twentieth Century History". The History Press Ltd. ISBN 978-0752418957
- ^ "Castleford RLFC A to Z Player List (All Time)". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "4th September 1965: Wigan 12 New Zealand 17". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.
- ^ "Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 1 January 2015.