John Burke (rugby league born 1957)
John Burke (born 2 September 1957[1]) is an English former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s, selected at representative level for Great Britain (non-Test matches), and at club level for Wigan and Workington Town, as a fullback or centre, i.e. number 1, or 3 or 4.[2]
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | John Burke | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Leigh, England | 2 September 1957||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Fullback, Centre | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Background
John Burke was born in Leigh, Lancashire, England.
Playing career
International honours
John Burke played 3 matches for the England/English Schoolboys against the Australian Schoolboys, played for Great Britain (Colts), and he was selected for Great Britain while at Workington Town for the 1978 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.
County Cup Final appearances
John Burke played as an interchange/substitute (replacing centre Steve Davies[3]), and scored a goal in Wigan's 13-16 defeat by Workington Town in the 1977 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1977–78 season at Wilderspool Stadium, Warrington, on Saturday 29 October 1977. John is the only player to receive a winners and runners up medal for a cup final 1978/1979 Lancs cup final Workington v widnes
Club career
John Burke was transferred from Wigan to Workington Town during February 1978, he broke his back while playing for Workington Town against Leeds on Sunday 3 September 1978, he had previously been selected for Great Britain, and in 1981 he was presented with his cap by Rugby Football League officials; Thomas Mitchell (Workington Town), and Bill Oxley (Barrow).[4]
References
- "Birth details at freebmd.org.uk". freebmd.org.uk. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.
- "Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- "Steve Davies Statistics at wigan.rlfans.com". wigan.rlfans.com. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- "Paralysed John joins Walk for Cancer". wigantoday.net. 31 December 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2013.