Gary Stephens

Last updated

Gary Stephens
Personal information
Born (1952-08-23) 23 August 1952 (age 71)
Castleford, England
Playing information
Position Scrum-half
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1969–80 Castleford 31510900327
1976–77 Manly-Warringah 302006
1980–84 Wigan 90+3150250
1983(loan)Warrington 71003
1984 Leigh 162008
1985–87 Halifax 82170977
1988–89 Ryedale-York 14+12019
Total558148012480
Representative
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1975–79 Yorkshire 51003
1979 England 10000
1979 Great Britain 51003
Coaching information
Club
YearsTeamGmsWDLW%
198891 Ryedale-York
Source: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
Relatives Gareth Stephens (son)

Gary Stephens (born 23 August 1952) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s as a scrum-half, and coached in the 1980s and 1990s.

Contents

He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, [6] Wigan, Warrington, Leigh, Halifax and York. [2] and coached at club level for Ryedale-York. [5]

Playing career

Castleford

Stephens played scrum-half in the 7–11 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1971–72 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1971–72 season at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 21 August 1971, and was a substitute (replacing Scrum-half Clive Pickerill) in the 17–7 victory over Featherstone Rovers in the 1977–78 Yorkshire Cup Final during the 1977–78 season at Headingley, Leeds on Saturday 15 October 1977.

Stephens played scrum-half in Castleford's 12–4 victory over Leigh in the 1976 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final during the 1976–77 season at Hilton Park, Leigh on Tuesday 14 December 1976.

Stephens played scrum-half, was man of the match (jointly with Blackpool Borough's Howard Allen) and scored a try in Castleford's 25–15 victory over Blackpool Borough in the 1976–77 Player's No.6 Trophy Final during the 1976–77 season at The Willows, Salford on Saturday 22 January 1977.

Gary Stephens' Testimonial match at Castleford took place in 1980.

Manly-Warringah

In 1976 Gary Stephens and Manly-Warringah team mates Phil Lowe and Steve Norton became the third Englishmen to have played in a NSWRFL Grand Final-winning team following Dick Huddart (St. George in 1966), Dave Bolton (Balmain in 1969), and Mal Reilly (Manly in 1972 and 1973).

Wigan

Stephens was signed by Wigan for a fee of £35,000, and made his debut in November 1980 against Fulham. [7]

Halifax

Stephens played scrum-half in Halifax's 19-18 victory over St. Helens in the 1986-87 Challenge Cup Final during the 1986–87 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 2 May 1987.

Representative honours

Stephens won a cap for England while at Castleford in 1979 against Wales, [3] and won caps for Great Britain while at Castleford in 1979 against Australia (3 matches), and New Zealand (2 matches). [4]

Stephens won caps for Yorkshire while at Castleford playing Scrum-half in the 17-7 victory over Lancashire at Wigan's stadium on 20 December 1975, the 12-12 draw with Cumberland at Whitehaven's stadium on 15 February 1977, scoring 1-try in the 18-15 victory over Lancashire at Castleford's stadium on 1 March 1977, the 7-23 defeat by Lancashire at Widnes' stadium on 27 September 1978, and the 16-19 defeat by Lancashire at Castleford's stadium on 12 September 1979. [8]

RL Retirement

Gary Stephens' current occupation is a Caretaker/Bar Manager at West Riding County FA

Related Research Articles

Antony "Tony" Smith, also known by the nickname "Casper", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, and coached in the 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for the Castleford Tigers, Wigan Warriors and Hull FC, as a stand-off, scrum-half or hooker, and coached at club level for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats.

Stephen Norton, also known by the nickname of "Knocker", is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Fryston ARLFC, Castleford, Hull FC and Wakefield Trinity, as a second-row or loose forward, and coached at club level for Barrow.

Brian Lockwood is an English World Cup winning former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, Canterbury-Bankstown, Balmain, Wakefield Trinity, Hull Kingston Rovers, Oldham and Widnes, as a prop or second-row, during the era of contested scrums, and coached at club level for Wakefield Trinity, Huddersfield and Batley.

Ernest Ward was an English rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached in the 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, British Empire, Combined Nationalities and England, and at club level for Bradford Northern (captain), and Castleford, as a goal-kicking fullback, centre or second-row, and coached at club level for Castleford. Ernest Ward was a Private in the British Army during World War II.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mal Reilly</span> English rugby league coach (born 1948)

Malcolm John Reilly OBE is an English former rugby league player and coach. He played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and coached in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford in England, and Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in Australia, as a loose forward,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerry Helme</span> English rugby league footballer and coach

Gerard "Gerry" J. Helme was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England, Combined Nationalities and Lancashire, and at club level for Warrington, as a scrum-half, and coached at club level. Helme played almost all of his club career for Warrington, with whom he won three Championship Finals and two Challenge Cup Finals and became a Warrington Wolves Hall of Fame inductee.

William Hudson is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached in the 1950s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Batley, Wigan and Wakefield Trinity (captain), as a prop, second-row, or loose forward, i.e. number 8 or 10, 11 or 12, or 13, during the era of contested scrums, and coached at club level for Featherstone Rovers.

Thomas "Tommy" Smales was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and coached in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Castleford, Huddersfield (captain), Bradford Northern, North Sydney Bears and Wakefield Trinity as a scrum-half, i.e. number 7, and coached at club level for Castleford and Featherstone Rovers.

Harry Street was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1940s and 1950s, and coached in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, St. Helens, Dewsbury, Wigan, Leeds and Featherstone Rovers, as a centre or loose forward, i.e. number 3 or 4, or 13, during the era of contested scrums, and coached at club level for Castleford and Bradford Northern,

Richard Silcock was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1900s and 1910s, and coached in the 1920s and 1930s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and England, and at club level for Leigh, and Wigan, as a forward, during the era of contested scrums, and coached at club level for Castleford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Les Adams (rugby league)</span> GB & England international rugby league footballer

Leslie Adams, also known by the nickname of "Juicy", was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Leeds, Huddersfield and Castleford, as a scrum-half.

Dennis Hartley was an English professional rugby league footballer who played as a prop in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

Keith Hepworth, also known by the nickname of 'Heppy', is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, and coached in the 1980s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, Yorkshire and Commonwealth XIII, and at club level for Castleford, Leeds and Hull FC, as a scrum-half, and coached at club level for Bramley and Hull FC.

John Joyner is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, and coached in the 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, as a centre, stand-off, or loose forward, and coached at club level for Castleford.

Kevin Beardmore was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, as a hooker or prop.

Bernard Cunniffe was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played at representative level for Great Britain, England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, as a wing, or centre, i.e. number 2 or 5, or, 3 or 4.

Tony Marchant is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, Wynnum Manly Seagulls, Bradford Northern and Dewsbury, as a wing, or centre.

Richard Russell is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s. He played at representative level for England, and at club level for Wigan, Oldham and Castleford Tigers, as a wing, or hooker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tommy Taylor (rugby league)</span> England international rugby league footballer (1911-1992)

Thomas Leslie Taylor was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played at representative level for England and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, as a prop, i.e. number 8 or 10, during the era of contested scrums.

Robert "Bob" Spurr is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. He played at representative level for Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford, Featherstone Rovers and Bradford Northern, as a hooker, i.e. number 9, during the era of contested scrums.

References

  1. Emery, David (1984). Who's Who in Rugby League. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 112. ISBN   978-0-356-10435-5.
  2. 1 2 "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. 1 2 "England Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Great Britain Statistics at englandrl.co.uk". englandrl.co.uk. 31 December 2017. Archived from the original on 21 April 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  6. "Player Profile - Gary Stephens". yesterdayshero.com.au. SmartPack International Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 31 December 2012. Retrieved 12 November 2011.
  7. Kennedy, Edward (1 December 1980). "Upstarts put down" . The Guardian. p. 20. Retrieved 15 June 2022 via ProQuest.
  8. "Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". 31 December 2013. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2014.