Name John Stopford | Role Rugby league | |
Died August 21, 1998, Wigan, United Kingdom | ||
John "Johnny" Stopford (23 August 1936 – 21 August 1998) born in Wigan, Lancashire, was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s, and 1960s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, and at club level for Swinton, as a left wing, i.e. number 5, he died in Wigan. Johnny Stopford formed a highly successful Left-Wing partnership with his Centre and fellow Great Britain international Alan Buckley. Stopford toured Australasia in 1966 together with Lions teammates Buckley, Ken Gowers and Dave Robinson.
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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 Australia.
County Cup Final appearances
About Johnny Stopford's time, there was 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, 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, 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, and 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.
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.