John Stopford (rugby league)

John "Johnny" Stopford (23 August 1936[3] – 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 left wing, i.e. number 5. Johnny Stopford formed a highly successful left-wing partnership with his left-centre, and fellow Great Britain international; Alan Buckley, and coached at representative 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 (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

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

Playing career

International honours

Johnny Stopford won caps for Great Britain while at Swinton in 1961 against France, in 1963 against France and Australia (2 matches), in 1964 against France (2 matches), in 1965 against France, and New Zealand (2 matches), and in 1966 against France (2 matches), and on the 1966 Great Britain Lions tour against Australia.[1]

Four Swinton ("the Lions") players took part in the 1966 Great Britain Lions tour to Australasia, they were; Alan Buckley, Ken Gowers (vice-captain), Dave Robinson, and John Stopford.[4]

County Cup Final appearances

Due to a series of injuries, Johnny Stopford didn't play in Swinton's 9-15 defeat by St. Helens in the 1960 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1960–61 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 29 October 1960, in front of a crowd of 31,755,[5] didn't play in the 9-25 defeat by St. Helens in the 1961 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1961–62 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 11 November 1961, in front of a crowd of 30,000,[6] didn't play in the 4-7 defeat by St. Helens in the 1962 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1962–63 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 27 October 1962, in front of a crowd of 23,523,[7] and didn't play in the 4-12 defeat by St. Helens in the 1964 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1964–65 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 24 October 1964, in front of a crowd of 17,383.[8]

Career records

Johnny 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. "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  4. "Obituary: John Stopford". independent.co.uk. 31 December 2011. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. Irvin Saxton (publish date tbc) "History of Rugby League – № 66 – 1960–61". Rugby Leaguer ISBN n/a
  6. Irvin Saxton (publish date tbc) "History of Rugby League – № 67 – 1961–62". Rugby Leaguer ISBN n/a
  7. Irvin Saxton (publish date tbc) "History of Rugby League – № 68 – 1962–63". Rugby Leaguer ISBN n/a
  8. Irvin Saxton (publish date tbc) "History of Rugby League – № 70 – 1964–65". Rugby Leaguer ISBN n/a
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