Derek Edwards (rugby league)

Derek Edwards (birth unknown – 27 January 2020)[2] was an English professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. He played at representative level for Great Britain and Yorkshire, and at club level for Castleford and Keighley, as a fullback.

For the Canadian stand-up comedian and actor, see Derek Edwards.

Derek Edwards

Personal information
Full name	Derek Edwards
Born	unknown
Died	27 January 2020
Playing information
Position	Fullback
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1960–1972 Castleford 309 38 0 0 116 ≤1974–≥74 Keighley Total 309 38 0 0 116 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1969–1971 Yorkshire 5 0 0 0 0 1968–1971 Great Britain 5 0 0 0 0
Source: [1]

Playing career

International honours

Derek Edwards won caps for Great Britain while at Castleford in 1968 against France, in 1970 against Australia, and in 1971 against New Zealand (3 matches).[1]

Derek Edwards was selected for the Great Britain Squad while at Castleford for the 1968 Rugby League World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. However, along with Chris Young of Hull Kingston Rovers, he did not participate in any of the three matches.

County Honours

Derek Edwards won caps for Yorkshire while at Castleford as a substitute in the 12–14 defeat by Lancashire at Salford's stadium on 3 September 1969, as a substitute in the 42–3 victory over Cumberland at Hull Kingston Rovers' stadium on 1 October 1969, playing full-back in the 15–21 defeat by Cumberland at Whitehaven's stadium on 14 September 1970, playing full-back in the 22–42 defeat by Lancashire at Leigh's stadium on 29 September 1971, and Fullback in the 17–12 victory over Cumberland at Wakefield Trinity's stadium on 20 October 1971.[3]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Derek Edwards played full-back in Castleford’s 11-6 victory over Salford in the 1969 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 17 May 1969, in front of a crowd of 97,939,[4] and played full-back in the 7–2 victory over Wigan in the 1970 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 9 May 1970, in front of a crowd of 95,255.[5]

County Cup Final appearances

Derek Edwards played full-back in Castleford's 11–22 defeat by Leeds in the 1968 Yorkshire Cup Final at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 19 October 1968, and played full-back in the 7–11 defeat by Hull Kingston Rovers in the 1971 Yorkshire Cup Final at Belle Vue, Wakefield on Saturday 21 August 1971.

BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final appearances

Derek Edwards played full-back in Castleford's 4-0 victory over St. Helens in the 1965 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Tuesday 14 December 1965, played full-back in the 7–2 victory over Swinton in the 1966 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final at Wheldon Road, Castleford on Tuesday 20 December 1966, and played full-back in the 8–5 victory over Leigh in the 1967 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy Final at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 16 January 1968.

References

1. "Statistics at rugbyleagueproject.org". rugbyleagueproject.org. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
2. "RL mourns death of 1970 Lion Derek Edwards". Rugby League Cares. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2020.
3. "Statistics at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk". thecastlefordtigers.co.uk ℅ web.archive.org. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 16 February 2012. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
4. "Sat 17th May 1969 - Challenge Cup - Neutral Ground - 97,939". thecastlefordtigers. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 31 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
5. "Sat 9th May 1970 - Challenge Cup - Neutral Ground - 95,255". thecastlefordtigers. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 31 December 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2012.

External links

• Profile at thecastlefordtigers.co.uk