Albert Naughton

Updated on Jan 22, 2024

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Name Albert Naughton		Height 1.83 m
Died September 27, 2013, Isle of Man

Albert "Ally" Naughton (1929 – 27 September 2013) (aged 84)) born in Prescot district, was an English professional Rugby League World Cup winning footballer of the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, England, and Lancashire, and at club level for Widnes, and Warrington, as a centre, or loose forward/lock, i.e. number 3 or 4, or 13, he retired to live in Onchan, Isle of Man.

International honours

Naughton won caps for England while at Warrington in 1953 against France (2 matches), in 1956 against France, and won caps for Great Britain while at Warrington in the 1954 Rugby League World Cup against France (2 matches).

Naughton played left-centre, i.e. number 4 Great Britain's 13-13 draw with France in the 1954 Rugby League World Cup second group match at Stade Municipal, Toulouse on Sunday 7 November 1954, and Great Britain's 16-12 victory over France in the 1954 Rugby League World Cup Final at Parc des Princes, Paris on Saturday 13 November 1954.

Mick Sullivan moved from Centre to replace Frank Kitchen on the Wing for Great Britain's 13-13 draw with France in the 1954 Rugby League World Cup second group match at Stade Municipal, Toulouse on Sunday 7 November 1954, and Great Britain's 16-12 victory over France in the 1954 Rugby League World Cup Final at Parc des Princes, Paris on Saturday 13 November 1954, with Ally Naughton replacing Mick Sullivan at Centre, i.e. number 4.

Naughton also represented Great Britain while at Warrington between 1952 and 1956 against France (2 non-Test matches).

Championship Final appearances

Naughton played in Warrington's 11-26 defeat by Workington Town in the Championship Final during the 1950–51 season, the 7-3 victory over Oldham in the Championship Final during the 1954–55 season at Maine Road on Saturday 14 May 1955, and played loose forward/lock in the 10-25 defeat by Leeds in the Championship Final during the 1960–61 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford, this was also his last appearance for Warrington.

Challenge Cup Final appearance

Naughton played left-centre, i.e. number 4, in Warrington's 19-0 victory over Widnes in the 1950 Challenge Cup Final during the 1949–50 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 6 May 1950, in front of a crowd of 94,249, but was injured with an aggravated calf injury for both the 4-4 draw with Halifax in the 1954 Challenge Cup Final during the 1953–54 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 1 May 1954, and the 18-4 victory in the 1954 Challenge Cup Final replay during the 1953–54 season at Odsal Stadium, Bradford on Wednesday 5 May 1954 in front of a 102,569+ crowd, he was replaced by a young Jim Challinor.

Naughton was on the winning side against his older brother John "Johnny" Naughton, the Widnes second-row, in the Challenge Cup Final during the 1949–50 season.

County Cup Final appearances

Albert Naughton played left-centre, i.e. number 4, and scored a try in Warrington's 5-28 defeat by Wigan in the 1950 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1950–51 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 4 November 1950, and played in the 5-4 victory over St. Helens in the 1959 Lancashire County Cup Final during the 1954–55 season at Central Park, Wigan on Saturday 31 October 1959.

Club career

Naughton became the most expensive player in rugby league when he left Widnes for Warrington for £4,600 during the 1949–50 season, based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £370,300 in 2012), he made his début for the Warrington in a friendly match in France, before making his competitive début, and scoring a try in the 17-0 victory over Whitehaven at Wilderspool Stadium.

Honoured at Warrington Wolves

Naughton was inducted into the Warrington Wolves Hall of Fame in 2006 alongside Parry Gordon, and George Thomas.

Genealogical information

Naughton's marriage to Deirdre "De" (née Farrell) was registered during July→September 1956 in Prescot district, he was the younger brother of Widnes and Warrington's Second-row John "Johnny" Naughton (birth registered during January→March 1920 in Prescot district), Teresa "Tess" Naughton (birth registered during October→December 1921 in Prescot district), and rugby league footballer, Daniel "Danny" Naughton.