Colin Clarke (rugby league)

Colin Clarke
Personal information
Born (1945-06-28) 28 June 1945
Wigan, England
Playing information
PositionHooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1962–76 Wigan 417 74 0 0 222
1976 Salford 12 0 0 0 0
1977–78 Wigan 19 1 0 0 3
1978–79 Leigh 3 0 0 0 0
Total 451 75 0 0 225
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1965–71 Lancashire 3 0 0 0 0
1965–73 Great Britain 7 2 0 0 6
Coaching information
Club
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1980–82 Leigh
1984–86 Wigan
Total 0 0 0 0
Source: [1][2][3]
RelativesPhil Clarke (son)

Colin Clarke is an English former professional rugby league player and coach who played as a hooker in the 1960s and 1970s, and coached in the 1980s. He played for Wigan (two spells), Salford and Leigh,[4][1] and won 7 international caps for Great Britain.

He coached Wigan from 1984 to 1986, winning the 1985 Challenge Cup, Wigan's first for 20 years.[2] He was inducted into the Wigan Hall of Fame in 2016.

Playing career

Wigan

Clarke joined Wigan at the age of 17 from Orrell rugby union club, making his debut in 1963.[5]

Clarke played in Wigan's 20–16 victory over Hunslet in the 1965 Challenge Cup final during the 1964–65 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 8 May 1965, in front of a crowd of 89,016.[6] Wigan returned to Wembley the following year in the 1966 Challenge Cup, but Clarke missed the final due to suspension.[5]

He played and scored a try in Wigan's 16–13 victory over Oldham in the 1966 Lancashire Cup final during the 1966–67 season at Station Road, Swinton, on Saturday 29 October 1966.[7]

Clarke played in Wigan's 7–4 victory over St. Helens in the 1968 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1968–69 season at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 17 December 1968,[8] and played hooker in the 6–11 defeat by Leigh in the 1969 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy final during the 1969–70 season at Central Park, Wigan on Tuesday 16 December 1969.

He played in the 15–8 victory over Widnes in the 1971 Lancashire County Cup final during the 1971–72 season at Knowsley Road on Saturday 28 August 1971,[9] and played in the 19–9 victory over Salford in the 1973 Lancashire Cup final during the 1973–74 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Saturday 13 October 1973.[10]

Clarke's testimonial match at Wigan took place in 1973.[5]

Great Britain

Clarke won seven international caps for Great Britain while at Wigan. He played in 1965 against New Zealand, in 1966 against France, and New Zealand, in 1967 against France, and in 1973 against Australia (3 matches).[1]

Coaching

Clarke coached Wigan from 1984 to 1986, including in the 1985 Challenge Cup Final, Wigan's first Challenge Cup win since 1965.

Family

Clarke is the father of Phil Clarke, the rugby league player who played in the 1980s and 1990s. His other son Andrew Clarke is a player agent.

References

  1. ^ a b c "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. ^ a b "Coach Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Player Summary: Colin Clarke". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
  4. ^ Morris, Graham (2005). Wigan Rugby League Football Club: 100 Greats. Stroud: Tempus Publishing. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7524-3470-4.
  5. ^ a b c "Clarke - a career to rank with the best". Wigan Observer. 5 June 1986. p. 49 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  6. ^ "1964–1965 Challenge Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  7. ^ "1966–1967 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  8. ^ "1968-1968 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  9. ^ "1971–1972 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  10. ^ "1973–1974 Lancashire Cup Final". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
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