Gordon Clifford

Gordon Lionel Clifford (1928–2008), also known by the nickname of "Punchy", was an Australian professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s. A state and national representative fullback and prolific goal-kicker, he played his club football in Sydney mainly with Newtown, who have named him as one of their greatest ever players.

This article is about the Australian rugby player. For the American lyricist, see Gordon Clifford (lyricist).

Gordon Clifford
Gordon Clifford.1955
Personal information
Full nameGordon Lionel Clifford
Born(1928-04-04)4 April 1928
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died22 November 2008(2008-11-22) (aged 80)
Arncliffe, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1951–58 Newtown 114 7 445 4 919
1960 Eastern Suburbs 6 0 17 0 34
Total 120 7 462 4 953
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1957–58 New South Wales 2 0 14 0 28
1956–58 Australia 8 0 24 0 48
Source: [1] Whiticker

A South Sydney junior player,[2] Clifford started playing in the NSWRFL premiership for the Newtown club in 1951.[3] He played at fullback for Newtown in their loss to Souths in the 1954 NSWRFL season's grand final, kicking six goals. In the grand final of the 1955 NSWRFL season the same two sides again faced each other. Clifford missed a 79th minute field goal attempt and Souths were again victorious.[4]

In 1956 Clifford was first selected to represent Australia in the 2nd Test against New Zealand, becoming Kangaroo No. 324.[5] He was selected on the 1956–57 Kangaroo Tour and after the great Clive Churchill was injured in the 1st Test,[6] Clifford took over as Australia's fullback playing in four Test matches and ten tour games and topping the tour points-scoring tally list with 94 points (2 tries, 44 goals).[7] He made his first state appearance for New South Wales in 1957 and the following year with Churchill in his career twilight, Clifford displaced "the Little Master" in the domestic three Test series against the visiting British tourists.[8] These would be Clifford's last representative appearances. He joined Eastern Suburbs for one season in 1960, and then retired from the sport.

References
  1. Rugby League Project
  2. "Club Records". rabbitohs.com.au. South Sydney Rabbitohs. Archived from the original on 19 March 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  3. "Gordon Clifford". Yesterday's Hero. SmartPack International Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  4. Ian Heads and David Middleton. "The Red & Green Miracle". A Centenary of Rugby League, 1908–2008 – The Definitive Story of the Game in Australia. Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 23 July 2008. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  5. "Players Register". Kangaroos. Australian Rugby League. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  6. Whiticker, Alan, Hudson, Glen (2006). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Australia: Gary Allen Publishing. p90.
  7. "Newtown RLFC farewells Gordon Clifford". newtownjets.com. Newtown Jets. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  8. Andrews, Malcolm (2006). The ABC of Rugby League. Australia: Australian Broadcasting Copotation. p316.

Bibliography
  • Whiticker, Alan & Hudson, Glen (2006) The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, Gavin Allen Publishing, Sydney
  • Andrews, Malcolm (2006) The ABC of Rugby League Austn Broadcasting Corpn, Sydney
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